North Shore - Meeting & talk: Huntsman spiders / Spider Q&A

Many of us encounter huntsman spiders as we go about our daily lives. Their turn of speed and agility are impressive but can also be a bit scary. Spiders are important pest controllers in our gardens, so keeping cool when you have a surprise meeting with a particularly large one is a useful skill to ensure the safety of both parties.

Knowledge can help us to temper our natural fear and instead encourage enquiry and respect, so let us take a closer look at huntsman spiders. What makes a huntsman a huntsman, and how can they apparently defy gravity to run up smooth glass? How many different kinds of huntsman spiders are there in the Sydney area? What do they feed on and how do they grow? How can you relocate one without hurting either of you?

Helen Smith is Technical Officer in Arachnology at the Australian Museum in Sydney, where answering public enquiries is a regular part of her job. So, while the first part of this evening will focus on our hairy huntsman friends, we will finish with a more general Spider Q&A. Send photos to Jan Williamson in advance or ask questions from the floor on the night.

All welcome. 7.45 for 8.00 pm.

Plant sales from 7:45 pm before the meeting (cash only, please bring change). Refreshments afterwards. The NSG Botanical library is also available for members to browse and borrow items.