Many spiders lay their eggs in pockets of silky material, which are typically hidden in the web, attached to surfaces, or carried by the mother. Spiders are capable of producing several, each containing hundreds of eggs. A pouch is made of the same material as the web and is roughly the same size as the spider that makes it.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Examine the Bag
Step 1. Observe shape and surface
To be sure you are looking at a spider egg sac, you need to evaluate these two characteristics. The arachnids make such envelopes by weaving the same web; both the shape and the surface consistency can therefore vary according to the species of the insect. The most common forms are:
- Spherical;
- Disc, with a rounded central portion;
- Cylindrical;
- Soft and silky mass;
- Spherical with several thin tips over the entire surface.
Step 2. Evaluate the size
The bags are small, usually no larger than a 10-cent euro coin. Look at the size of the pouch (or pouches) to see if it was made by a spider.
- For example, if you come across a structure the size of a soccer ball, it's not at all likely that it belongs to an arachnid. However, if it's the size of a dime, it might just be an egg sac.
- The pouches are generally as large as the mother who made them. For example, if there are spiders the size of a golf ball in your region, the pockets may be roughly the same diameter.
- Remember that some species make only one pouch, while others make numerous and smaller ones.
Step 3. Observe the color
Most spiders weave white or whitish sacs; however, this is not always the case; some are brown, yellow or even yellowish-green.
Consider the color to make sure you are faced with a sac of spider eggs. If the item is pink or black, for example, it may not be what you are looking for
Step 4. Pay attention to the place
Although some specimens carry their own pouches, most spiders leave them suspended from the web. If you've spotted something that could be egg wrap, check to make sure it's attached to a canvas, stuck to a wall, or "glued" to another surface with a silky thread.
Some species lay their eggs in sacs that are left on the ground, the web is therefore not always visible
Step 5. Check for "puppies"
Seeing some spider mites in the area around the property increases the chances that it contains spider eggs. Females lay hundreds of eggs in each shell, and when they hatch, hundreds of tiny eight-legged insects crawl out of the pouch.
If you notice small, light-colored spiders moving around what you think is an egg sac, chances are it really is
Part 2 of 2: Observe the Spider and the Web
Step 1. Observe the structure
Different types of spiders weave different webs. It is not always possible to see the spider web, as not all species leave the bags hanging on it. However, if you are unable to recognize the insect by the appearance of the pouch, it is worth looking for a nearby canvas. The most common structures are:
- Spherical - cobwebs with a circular pattern;
- Tangles: "messy", soft-looking cobwebs often found in the corners of the ceiling;
- Funnels: the cobwebs have the shape of a funnel and are built in less frequented areas;
- Foil: cobwebs that resemble sheets or have the shape of bowls;
- Silky: Slightly sticky cobwebs without a distinct shape.
Step 2. Observe where the web is
Spiders build their homes in all types of habitats. You can find one in a hole in a brick, in the corner of a room, in a tree or a pile of dead leaves. Taking into account the area in which the web is located allows you to reduce the range of possible species to which the sac you are observing belongs.
For example, tarantulas live in holes in the ground covered with a thin spider web; the specimens belonging to the Oecobiidae family build gray webs on the bark of the trees and on the bricks of the walls, while those belonging to the Theridiidae family prefer to find a home in houseplants
Step 3. Check your surroundings carefully if possible
Since many spider egg sacs are very similar to each other, it is difficult to recognize them without seeing the arachnid they belong to. Some specimens lay eggs and then abandon them; in this case, it will be impossible for you to see the mother around; however, many species remain close to the sacs and protect them until they hatch.
If you find the spider to which the enclosure you want to identify belongs, observe it as best you can, to be sure you recognize it for sure
Step 4. Pay attention to the color
Spiders can have many different colors and patterns. Some, such as the black widow and Argiope aurantia, are instantly recognizable, while others have a more ordinary appearance.
Pay attention to the details. For example, if the spider is brown, what is the exact shade of color? Does it have any other distinctive signs? Is the shade of brown uniform all over the body?
Step 5. Look at the fluff
All spiders are covered in fine hair, but they are not always noticeable. If you see hair, try to describe it.
Does the specimen you are looking at have hairs visible from afar, like the jumping spider, or are they practically impossible to notice up close, as in the case of the violin spider?
Step 6. Estimate the size
Many people are afraid of spiders, so they have an unconscious tendency to exaggerate their size. However, finding a precise way to describe its size allows you to recognize the specimen in an easier way.
- Try to be objective. The spider could be the size of a pencil eraser, a 10-cent coin, a golf ball, or your fist.
- Most of the species include specimens of the order of magnitude of centimeters. Try to estimate its size using this unit of measurement, to be able to recognize the specimen you are looking at.
