The term "banana spider" refers to several species of spiders found all over the world. They are called banana spiders because of their yellow color or because they are found on banana trees. The banana spider may refer to the gold-web-seeking spider, the Cupiennius spider, the Brazilian wandering spider, or the Hawaiian garden spider.
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Part 1 of 4: Identifying the Gold-web-seeking Spider
Step 1. Pay attention to the color
The spider's belly is usually red, yellow, or blackish white. The legs are hairy and striped, and bend inward.
Step 2. Get to know the size
The size of the female gold finger-finger spider can reach 3.8 cm to 7.6 cm, while the male is less than 2.5 cm. Their bodies are slender, and the length of their legs can exceed 15 cm.
Step 3. Identify common features
There are irregular spots on the body of the gold-net-seeker.
Step 4. Pay attention to the net
These spider webs are easy to spot because of the yellow or gold color of the threads. Because of that, this spider was given the gold-web seeker. The size of the net can be more than one meter, and the height is equivalent to the adult human eye. Generally found in forest areas or mangrove forests.
Step 5. Learn the habits of the gold-net-mining
Spiders in the Nephila clan are commonly called the gold-web-seeking, the sun spider, and the banana spider. Although poisonous, this spider is not dangerous to humans because its venom is not lethal. Species of spiders belonging to this genus can be found almost all over the world, including:
- Australia
- Asia
- Africa and Madagascar
- South America
- North America (in the southern United States)
Part 2 of 4: Identifying the Cupiennius Spider
Step 1. Identify the habitat of the Cupiennius spider
The Cupiennius spider is called the banana spider because it is often found in shipments of bananas in North America and Europe. However, this spider is native to Mexico, northern South America, and a number of islands in the Caribbean.
The “Cupiennius” spider is harmless to humans, but people like to confuse “Cupiennius” with the Phoneutria poisonous spider, or Brazilian wandering spider
Step 2. Know the size
The smallest spider species of this genus measures 0.6 cm. Meanwhile, female spiders from larger species can reach 3.8 cm in size. The Cupiennius spider is generally smaller than the Brazilian wandering spider.
Step 3. Pay attention to the colors and their characteristics
The Cupiennius spider has bright red hairy feet or mouth. In addition, there are black spots on the white legs near their bodies.
Part 3 of 4: Identifying the Brazilian Wandering Spider
Step 1. Get to know the habitat of the Brazilian wandering spider
Spiders from the Phoneutria clan are commonly called Brazilian wandering spiders, armed spiders, or banana spiders. Its natural habitat is the tropics in South America, but there is one species that lives in Central America. Much like the Cupiennius spider, the Brazilian wandering spider is called the banana spider because it frequently travels around the world via banana shipments.
The Brazilian wandering spider is dangerous to humans as it is reputed to be one of the most poisonous spiders on Earth. However, there is already an antidote to the poison
Step 2. Know the size
Spiders belonging to the Phoneutria genus can grow up to 5 cm and the length of their legs can reach 12.7 cm.
Step 3. Pay attention to the color
Spiders in this genus tend to be hairy and brown. People often confuse it with the Cupiennius spider because it has red hair on the mouth and black spots on the abdomen.
Step 4. Identify common features
Brazilian wandering spiders are often seen sitting up swinging their forelegs.
Part 4 of 4: Identifying the Hawaiian Garden Spider
Step 1. Identify the Hawaiian garden spider habitat
Argiope appensa is also known as the Hawaiian garden spider. This spider comes from Taiwan and Guam, but is now often found in Hawaii and New Guinea. These spiders are non-toxic and dangerous to humans.
Step 2. Identify the shape of the net
Hawaiian garden spider webs are easy to spot because of the zigzag pattern wrapped in thick yarn.
Step 3. Know the size
The Hawaiian garder spider is quite large, up to 5 cm in length.
Step 4. Pay attention to the colors and characteristics
The Hawaiian garden spider is often called the banana spider because of its yellow color. This spider can also be recognized by its unique star-shaped abdomen.
