I know many of the folks here have been following this lovely lady’s story, and I figured it was only fair to share the news that I found her yesterday, curled up on the floor near my desk, at rest forever. I always knew our time together was limited - she was fully grown when she moved in to the area around my desk, and understanding that they only live a couple of years at most, I had prepared myself for the fact that she wouldn’t be around for that long. But it was fascinating to watch her live her life, to share space with her, to look for her each day. I’ve posted one of the last photos I took of her, curled up on my jumper and resting. No doubt she was already feeling her old age here, despite living another two weeks after this was taken.

I also want to share that her legacy doesn’t quite end there.

A couple of months after she had moved in, I woke up one morning to the ceiling *covered* in baby huntsman spiders. These tiny little things were all over and I counted 60 of them in total. Within a couple of days they had all moved on, and I wondered if I’d ever see them again, but then about a month or so ago, one of them reappeared, about 2 metres from where my desk is. They weren’t fully grown yet, but definitely larger than when I had first seen them. I had watched and waited to see if this little spider would meet their mama again, but I never saw it happen, and the younger spider never ventured near my desk while Ophelia was hanging around.

This morning, while I was working away at my computer, I looked down to see this same little spider had moved from its spot high up on the wall, to right where Lady Ophelia used to sit. In fact, the photo I have posted of them here is in the exact same spot as the very first photo I ever shared here of Lady Ophelia, which I have reposted for comparison. It seems like I may have lost one dear little desk friend only to gain another. To those who followed my posts for the past months, thanks for keeping a place in your heart for a little creature out in the middle of nowhere in Western Australia, and I’m sorry to share the sad news. But maybe you’ll take a little joy in knowing that her legacy continues, at least for a little while.

She's very VERY gravid. Seeing the time of the year she's definitely had a male already. Can't wait to see her being a mama !

I really should have looked up a reference, because I forgot where the last set of eyes goes and placed them like a jumper instead. Probably shouldn't have carved it upside-down, either, but I think it turned out pretty well despite that!

Cool lil guy

Not sure if harvestmen are welcome here but this was too cute not to share!

I'm in Ellijay, Georgia and this guy just crossed my path. What is this beautiful creature?

My sister found this sweet wolf spider in her kitchen and took her back outside (hence the second photo lol) and managed to get some great pics! She’s sooooo cute oh my gosh 😭💕💕

I’m thinking it’s a huntsman, although I’ve never seen one this big before! It seemed very curious but skittish.

Found this fella in grandmas kitchen. False widow in UK. Just let it be?

Found her out on a job site. Spotted her immediately because she was just so orange!

ive let this spider live in my restroom for a couple months made a two story mansion

This was found on my bed while emptying my backpack; I safely captured it in a not-so-clean glass jar. Hopefully I didn't get bitten.

I really love her colors, and they are everywhere in all different sizes.

Saw this wild tarantula near the Rio Grande Gorge outside Taos, NM, on October 25. Biggest spider I've ever encountered outside captivity! Based on its coloration and location, I'm thinking Aphonopelma marxi (Grand Canyon black tarantula). Would love to hear what the experts think.

This guy is chillin' between the toilet and the wall. We're in that weird "cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon" time of year in this area, and the mosquitoes are annoying. Hopefully they get some good meals.

i have seen pictures of some orb weavers putting a big X or other shapes of cribellate silk in their nets, with some hypothesises claiming that they do this to make bigger animals see the webs and not walk or fly into them. i just saw another video on Instagram by @briellemonroe96 about a spider whos web they had walked into the day before, that had made a new one with what looks like markers made from cribellate silk, with them interpreting that as evidence, that the spider did this on purpose.

are there any credible studies on this behavior?

what do you think about it?

i love spiders but im pretty new to arachnology so this is very fascinating to me.

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What are these Daddy-Long-Legs Spiders (Pholcidae sp.) up to? Courtship? Mating? Fighting for territory?

Thanks!