Name: Mara N.
I have a spider in my house that is in a cocoon. Can you
please tell what it is doing? Is it laying eggs that in turn will create
more spiders? Please help. Thank you.
Spiders do not pupate in cocoons like insects, as far as I know the only stage of a spider life cycle
that includes a cocoon-like structure is the egg case, which the adult forms around the eggs. Yes,
they will hatch into more spiders!
The spider in question may be the sac spider.
"These spiders hide in silken tubes or sacs that resemble
cocoons during the day and hunt at night. They will bite humans
even when unprovoked. These bites are rather painful, but generally
not life-threatening." Thaks Pamela!
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Update: June 2012