Spiders Not Always Good For Pepper Plants?

compmodder26 · Sep 16, 2013

So I was picking some pods off my plants a few minutes ago. I picked one 7 Pot Brown off, and as I was examining it, I saw some thick spider webbing in a crevice. No biggie, spiders do that all the time. So as I was removing the webbing, I noticed 3 small holes underneath it. Now that was strange, as I've not seen that before. I promptly took it inside and cut it open. Lo and behold, the inside of the pod was covered in webbing. Have any of you noticed this behavior from a spider before? The type of spider was one of those light green/yellow crab spiders.

Here's a couple of pics of the inside of the pod:

Type of spider (Not my picture. Credits to University of Kentucky):

JoynersHotPeppers · Sep 16, 2013

I have only had that happen when a spider used an existing hole to get inside. I have not seen them create one.

compmodder26 · Sep 16, 2013

JoynersHotPeppers said:
I have only had that happen when a spider used an existing hole to get inside. I have not seen them create one.

Hmm, so perhaps it was just being opportunistic?

JoynersHotPeppers · Sep 16, 2013

compmodder26 said:
Hmm, so perhaps it was just being opportunistic?

Very possible. I love crab spiders and they are awesome at eating bad bugs but also the occasional good bug!

compmodder26 · Sep 16, 2013

JoynersHotPeppers said:
Very possible. I love crab spiders and they are awesome at eating bad bugs but also the occasional good bug!

Awesome pic Chris!

JoynersHotPeppers · Sep 16, 2013

Thanks man, just happened to have a shot of the one you described

Noah Yates · Sep 16, 2013

compmodder26 said:
Type of spider (Not my picture. Credits to University of Kentucky):

Go Big Blue!!! CATS CATS CATS

georgej · Sep 17, 2013

compmodder26 said:
So I was picking some pods off my plants a few minutes ago. I picked one 7 Pot Brown off, and as I was examining it, I saw some thick spider webbing in a crevice. No biggie, spiders do that all the time. So as I was removing the webbing, I noticed 3 small holes underneath it. Now that was strange, as I've not seen that before. I promptly took it inside and cut it open. Lo and behold, the inside of the pod was covered in webbing. Have any of you noticed this behavior from a spider before? The type of spider was one of those light green/yellow crab spiders.

Here's a couple of pics of the inside of the pod:

Am i the only person who spies a worm?

i had the same with a habanero. silk n all and a worm that looks just like what i see here, came scuttling out.

compmodder26 · Sep 17, 2013

Well I'll be damned! Sure looks like it. But the thing is, I cut the pepper open, I examined thoroughly. I even threw it in the trash and took it back out to take the picture. Never once did I see a worm move. Sure looks like it in the pic though. Now I'm scratching my head as to how I could have missed something so obvious. :think:

JoynersHotPeppers · Sep 17, 2013

Now that makes much more sense!!!!

PepperDaddler · Sep 17, 2013

I saw it but thought it was a reaper type tail.

georgej · Sep 17, 2013

when it happened to my habanero, the critter was playing dead until i poked him with a knife, then he started running across the counter as fast as he could. i made sure he didn't have time to go tell his buddies tho

PepperDaddler · Sep 17, 2013

Just found a grasshopper on one of my plants, then I notices a couple leaves under him were about gone. Should have seen him run! He did not get to tell his buds either...

Trever1t · Sep 19, 2013

That worm is probably really tasty

Dulac · Sep 20, 2013

That poor spider almost took the blame for that darn worm!

compmodder26 · Sep 20, 2013

Dulac said:
That poor spider almost took the blame for that darn worm!

Lol, not to worry. I let the little guy go unharmed. Even if it really was the culprit, I'd be willing to let it take one pod for itself since it protects so many more.