molting spiders
Posted by Rebecca Porter on September 17, 2005
Q: I live in Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, and as we don't have as many spiders as other places, I am curious as to whether all spiders molt, or which ones in Alaska would? I am living near Homer, AK. and I have found a lot of spider carcasses left behind, and am just curious. Thanks.
State: Alaska
A: Good observation on your part. Yes, spiders all molt - it's the only way they can grow.
Unlike many insects, spiders don't go through egg/larva/pupa/adult stages but begin life looking very much like the adult form and then simple grow larger. Since they have an exoskeleton, they must shed the outer covering and expand their body before the new exoskeleton hardens. I'm sure many people see the shed skins of spiders and just assume that they're seeing a "dead" spider.
Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( September 18, 2005)