CLOSED: found this fellow sunning himself on a forgotten beet

drivenbonkers Perth,, ON(Zone 5a) Apr 05, 2009

Good thing I looked before I picked up the beet.

largest spider I've found so far, don't have a clue what it is.

I tossed a couple pea seeds to reference the spider's size.

Brown, hairy, body larger than an inch

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drivenbonkers Perth,, ON(Zone 5a) Apr 05, 2009

another pic

This message was edited Apr 5, 2009 5:25 PM

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Apr 05, 2009

The images are not clear enough for a definitive i.d.; possibilities include a wolf spider or a fishing/dock spider in the genus Dolomedes. Both are harmless to humans, but large specimens (such as this one) are capable of inflicting a painful bite if mishandled.

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drivenbonkers Perth,, ON(Zone 5a) Apr 06, 2009

thanks! the spider was pretty well camoflauged (sp?) sitting on the beet, and I didn't see it until I was focused on picking up the beet.

after I had posted these pictures I changed the camera batteries, and went back out to see if I could get a better pic..... but the spider was long gone.

Good to know they're (probably) not poisonous, but will be careful.

It is a beautiful spider ........ little beady shiny black eyes.....

(the beet is still in the garden, lol)

thanks again!