Unidentified

Picture ID 49475

Picture of unidentified spider
  • Submitted by: 
    Bryanna
  • Submitted: Dec 1, 2018
  • Photographed: Dec 1, 2018
  • Spider: Unidentified
  • Location: Saranac , New York, United States
  • Spotted Indoors: Basement or Cellar
  • Found in web?: Yes
  • Attributes:
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TangledWeb

Hi, this is cellar spider, genus Pholcus. The catch is that it is also a parasitic fungus. The fungal spores infect the spiders and reproduce inside them, using the spider’s flesh as nutrients. The fungus, like other “zombie parasites,” takes over the spider’s voluntary nervous system and forces it to commit suicidal behavior that spreads the fungus. Some fish are forced by parasites to leap into the air where predators will see and catch them. The predators digestive tracts spread the parasites back to the water through feces. Meanwhile…The spiders are forced to climb high into open places. The fungus… Read more »