As our community continues to recover from recent storms, find helpful resources and information at tiny.cc/ufsaraext_disasterprep, tiny.cc/saraco_disasterprep, and scgov.net/government/emergency-services/storm.
This blog is part of a multi-part series. To meet other members of “The Spooky Bug Brigade,” visit our blog’s landing page.
Whip Spiders (Amblypygi)
Credit: © Robby Deans, some rights reserved
Description
Credit: © Isaac Lord, some rights reserved
Surprise, surprise – another arachnid on our list! The lesser known whip spider, or tailless whip scorpion, is certainly a sight to behold. With its long, claw-like pedipalps, spindly legs, and sudden, fast movements, many find it outright terrifying. Well, a recurring theme of our blog series is that looks can be deceiving. Whip spiders do not produce any venom and are often frightened by us, quickly scurrying away after an encounter. Because of their “shyness,” it’s no wonder that these encounters are rare, indeed.
Currently, only two species have been spotted in Florida: the Florida tailless whip scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus) and Paraphrynus cubensis. They are closely related to whip scorpions, but their longer pedipalps and lack of “tail” help differentiate them by appearance. Like the whip scorpion, these arachnids have a thinner pair of forelegs that they use to help sense their environment. They range in size from 2 to just over 6 inches, leg span included.
Services
Whip spiders are fearsome predators, able to run and capture prey at dizzying speeds. For the most part, they eat insects and other arthropods, such as crickets, cockroaches, moths, spiders, and scorpions. However, some species have been observed to prey on hummingbirds and lizards. Gruesome as it may be, they are also known to cannibalize members of the same species after territorial fights. Additionally, whip spiders serve as a food source for larger lizards and bats.
Habitat
Most active at night, whip spiders tend to be found in small spaces they can use as refuge. Depending on the species and their seasonal preferences, you can find them inside cave crevices, the buttresses of tropical trees, under rocks, logs, and leaf litter, in abandoned burrows, bromeliads, and even termite mounds.
Fun Fact
Fans of Harry Potter may recognize the whip spider from the scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where Mad-Eye Moody explains the “three unforgivable curses” in class.
Learn more about the rare and elusive whip spider here.
Resources
- UF/IFAS Featured Creatures: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/
- UF/IFAS Insect ID Lab: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/
- IPM Florida: https://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/
- UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Chemicals in the Environment: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/chemicals-in-the-environment/
Credits
- Featured image: Cristina Carrizosa, UF/IFAS
- Photos: Credited in caption
- Graphics: Designed in Canva
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