Phoneutria

Phoneutria spiders are a group of interesting creatures. People often call them Brazilian wandering spiders. They are also known as banana spiders or armed spiders. These spiders are important to study because they can be dangerous. They have venom that can hurt humans. Most of these spiders live in South America. Some species also live in Central America.

These spiders have a very specific way of moving. Most spiders stay in a web to catch food. Phoneutria spiders wander the jungle floor at night instead. During the day, they find dark places to hide. They might sleep under rocks or fallen logs. They also hide in termite mounds or banana plants. Some species even hide near human homes in boxes or boots.

Scientists first named this group in 1833. A man named Maximilian Perty started the genus. The name comes from a Greek word meaning "murderess." Perty first placed two species into this group. These were Phoneutria rufibarbis and Phoneutria fera. Phoneutria fera is known as the type species. This means it is the main example for the group.

There are many different species of these spiders. One species is called Phoneutria boliviensis. Another is Phoneutria depilata, which lives in places like Costa Rica. Phoneutria nigriventer is a common species in Brazil. It is often found near many people. This spider is often found in states like São Paulo. Scientists use many clues to tell them apart. They look at stripes on the body or patterns on the legs.

You can recognize them by their defensive posture. If they feel threatened, they lift their front legs high. They also lift their body into an upright position. The spider will sway from side to side. They also hold their back legs in a cocked position. This display shows off the dark and light bands on their legs. It is a very clear way to identify them.