Returning home from Saturday brunch, something caught my eye as I left my garage. Up high. To the left. Moving fast. Small. I knew it was a spider! Yeah, it was a spider alright, the biggest mofro of any spider I've seen in years. (see photos below) Its body is about the size of a silver dollar coin and it didn't seem happy.

 

On Monday I sent the photos off to MSU's Schutter Diagnosic Laboratory and asked them what kind of death machine had just moved into the eve of my garage. Insect Diagnostician Lauren Kerzicnik provided this prompt reply:

This looks like a cat face spider.  They make large spiral webs and they hardly ever enter the house.  They are usually on porches and decks and, in your case, the garage.  They catch moths and other insects.  They are harmless to humans and keep a lot of things from coming into the house.  They can actually become pretty large by September or October. They are my favorite spiders!

So before you go killing a spider, or lion for that matter, know what it is and what it's about. One of my dearest friends suggested the name Capt. Cool McScarybody, and so it is.

If you should have a question about YOUR Capt. Cool McScarybody, contact Insect Diagnostician Lauren Kerzicnik via email:

lauren.kerzicnik@montana.edu

I'll update McScarybody's life as I can.

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