Entomologists and arachnologists were disappointed to learn that the oldest-recorded spider in the world was killed after being stung by a wasp. The spider, which was a member of the mygalomorph family, was recorded at 43 years old.
According to Australian studies, a parasitic wasp stung the spider and killed it. Named number 16, the spider outlived the previous record holder by almost 15 years.
Her extended lifespan is thought to be due to her living her entire life in a secluded burrow.
Number 16 had been studied ever since 1974, and news of her death in October had just been released.
While arachnology is a very niche study, it is believed that number 16’s extended life could provide some insight on how humans could live longer.
Trapdoor spiders ambush their prey, bursting from their burrows to capture them.
By using very little energy, the females remain in their burrows while males go find a mate.
Arachnologists commonly know that larger species of spiders, such as tarantulas, can live longer than other speices, some up to 25 years old.
The population study was initiated by Barbara York Main, now 88 years old. She was the first to identify and record number 16 shortly after the spider’s birth. “Spending so much time studying Number 16, Ms. Main York’s research team commented that they were deeply heartbroken by the news of its death. To our knowledge this is the oldest spider ever recorded, and her significant life has allowed us to further investigate the trapdoor spider’s behaviour and population dynamics,” said Leanda Mason, a PhD student at Curtin University and the lead author of the study.
“Through Barbara’s detailed research, we were able to determine that the extensive life span of the trapdoor spider is due to their life-history traits, including how they live in uncleared, native bushland, their sedentary nature and low metabolisms.”
Going off on Ms. Main York’s work, they hope to find the kin and children of number 16 in order to better understand them.
Though, there are many concerns that global warming and scrub clearances could threaten the species. Main York’s team had hoped that number 16 would make it 50.
The next oldest known spider is the 28-year-old tarantula that was discovered in Mexico.