White Lady (Leucorchestris arenicola)

The white lady spider of the huntsman family is primarily found in the Namibian deserts. Because of their creamy shade and dancing or rather tapping movements, they are known as the dancing white lady. They use starlight for navigation, but take time to use the light to their advantage due to poor eyesight.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Sparassidae
• Genus: Leucorchestris
• Scientific name: Leucorchestris arenicola

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: They are 5 inches (12.7 cm) long, with a leg span, twice the size of their body, measuring around 10 inches (25.4 cm)

Color: They have a creamy, white body.

Other Characteristic Features: The females are heavier with a shorter leg span than their male counterparts.

Eggs

The female white lady spiders lay 60-80 eggs.

Spiderlings

Not all of them survive to be an adult and maximum 2 spiderlings out of all eggs manage to thrive.

The Web

The white lady spider doesn’t make any web but prepares silk-lined burrows that are 11 – 15.7 inches long.

Are White Lady Spiders Venomous

The spider is believed to be venomous and if it bites medical consultation within 3 hours is recommended.

Quick Facts

Other Names	Dancing White Lady Spider
Distribution	Namibia
Habitat	Desert
Diet	Smaller spiders or even the same species, beetles, moths, and geckos
Lifespan	Males: 1-2 months Females: Around 6 months
ICUN Conservation Status	Not listed

Did You Know

• Prior to the mating season, the males finds the burrows of the females and makes vibrations on the sand with their legs. This serves as a signal, with the female relying on it to distinguish her potential preys from mates. If she fails to percieve it, the female could attack the males mistakenly and kill them. Although, post-mating, most of the male spiders get eaten.
• In 1962, the arachnologist, Reginald Frederick Lawrence, described the species for the first time.

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