STILLWATER, Okla. – Arachnids seem to be creeping out of the woodwork lately, but professor and Oklahoma State University entomology professor Phil Mulder said there’s no cause for alarm.
In response to questions from the public, OSU experts such as Mulder, who heads the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, shared helpful online resources to understand spiders:
• Video: Tarantulas & wolf spiders
• Video: Identifying spiders
• Fact Sheet: Brown recluse, black widow and other common spiders
Story: Spiders aren’t that scary – “We really only have two significantly detrimental types of spiders in this region that we have to watch out for. Otherwise, spiders help us control pests,” said Andrine Shufran, coordinator of the department’s Insect Adventure program. “Once temperatures start to rise, we see more spiders. There are a multitude of possible factors, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
In short, spiders are looking for food, mates and comfortable places to spend the summer. Maybe they’re not so different from people after all.
Want to chat with Mulder or Shufran and develop your own spider story? Interview slots, b-roll and photos are available or can be arranged.