Loading

Charinus ioanniticus. Rhodes, Greece. 1959.

This whip spider is the first and only species of whip spider that has been found in Europe. It was discovered by an NHM researcher in 1959.


EUROPEAN PREMIERE
All whip spiders have a flattened body, powerful pincers armed with spikes, and extremely long front legs. In some species, the span of this first pair of legs can be as much as 50 centimeters! The front legs are not used for locomotion, but serve primarily as feelers and for prey detection. Special bristles that react to air currents and vibrations supply information on everything that is going on immediately around the spider.
Whip spiders feel their way sideways and when threatened also run away sideways. Their eyes are poorly developed; some species are even completely blind. They generally do not leave their lair until after dusk in order to hunt for crickets and moths. During the day, they hide under rocks, foliage, wood, or bark.
Almost all the 170 known species of whip spider are native to the tropics and subtropics. Only two species live in the entire Mediterranean region, and until the middle of the 20th century there was no indication that this group of spiders existed at all in Europe. When arachnologist Erich Kritscher discovered this sample of a new species hiding in a crack in the wall at the Castle of the Knights of St. John in Lindos in 1959, it was truly sensational news.

Details

  • Title: Whip Spider
  • Rights: (c) NHM (Lois Lammerhuber)

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps