July 2, 2019

 I'm stumped. I cannot identify this one spider.

Caught in a Central Texas garage. Aggressive. Approximately 6.0 mm in length. Dark brown, except for a black abdomen. The abdomen has a dark brown single spot that is the same color as the rest of the body.

It is not fuzzy. It has to small symmetrical processes on the caudal end of its abdomen.

It appears to have a flattened abdomen. I mention this because on the first spider I pinned, I accidentally pinned the abdomen. It deflated and looked like this does, but I didn't pierce the abdomen while pinning this one. I wasn't able to closely observe him alive.

 Update 8/27/2022: Hacklemesh Weaver, a species of Intertidal Spiders (Desidae)



As I have collected specimens, pinned them, and identified them, I have figured out some things. This is a guide to how I have made my collection. This is not the only way. Experiment around, and see what works for you!

  1. Don't try to pin bugs that you found dead. They're brittle and have delicate appendages.

  2. Don't wait more than 3 weeks since killing your bug before you try to pin it. They can be too squishy. *shudder*

  3. Let them dry for 3-5 days after pinning. If you try to remove the pins for display too early the bug might curl out of the position that you worked so hard to achieve. (She said as her beautiful specimen slowly deformed *frown* July 5)

  4. Don't let your bugs dry, then try to reposition an appendage. They will be brittle and break.

  5. PINNING: Take your time, and give your eyes a break. Do not, however, forget that you're pinning the bug and do something else for hours before coming back to finish the job.

  6. PINNING: Identify your specimen and get a good look at photos of that species for display purposes.

  7. MOUNTING ON FOAM BOARD: Cut a square bottom from thick foam board, and walls from thinner foam board. The size of your display will depend on the size of your bug. I think that foam board are best for individual display and the shadow box is more appropriate for the final display.

  8. It's okay if you accidentally ruin a few bugs along the way. I thank the bugs for their service and apologize that they weren't immortalized in my collection. It might be crazy, but it makes me feel better about smashing the oblivion out of a daddy long legs while trying to cut the foam board for his display. Sorry, daddy long legs! You taught me a lesson about leaving specimens on the floor.

  9. Don't leave your specimens on the floor.

I also found this website today and need to look at it more. I see information on how to preserve against live bugs eating the specimens!

https://bugguide.net/node/view/36900 

 

Here are some of the guys I pinned today while they're drying: I removed the pins from my unidentified spider prematurely and had to reposition him because he started curling back up. Thus tip #3 above.


And some more pictures of my previous bugs when they were being pinned so that you can check out how I'm placing stuff.

Cuckoo Wasp, Athens, TN








Four-Toothed Mason Wasp. Athens, TN

 

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