Read by Matilda Longbottom

Darkness had draped its cloak over the land as my friend Russell ventured across the dry October grass in his backyard. With a pan of hamburger grease in hand, destined for the edge of the woods, he sported a caving light affixed to his forehead. In the remote countryside, surprises lurk in the shadows, especially after a round of grilling burgers.

As he leaned down to release the cooled grease onto a mound of rocks, a peculiar sight seized his attention. Myriads of tiny lights twinkled amidst the grass. What could they be? With the fireflies of Summer long gone, Russell pondered if this might be foxfire, that enigmatic luminescence born when certain fungi encounter decaying wood. Intrigued, he knelt for a closer examination.

To his astonishment, the source of the glow was spiders—wolf spiders, to be precise. Countless in number, they cast an eerie spectacle. Recounting his discovery to me, I couldn’t help but inquire, “The glow came from spiders?”

“Indeed,” Russell affirmed, “owing to their eyeshine. Similar to when you catch a gleam from a dog or cat’s eyes in the dark. But with spiders, the light needs to hit them at eye level.” Thankfully, Russell’s headlamp had provided precisely the right angle to illuminate the spiders, causing their eyes to shimmer.

Eager to witness this marvel firsthand, I embarked on a quest for knowledge. Research revealed that eyeshine, far from a glow, is a reflection triggered when light penetrates an animal’s eye, traverses the retina, strikes a reflective membrane, and rebounds. Nocturnal hunters like possums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and bears boast eyeshine, as do reptiles such as bullfrogs and alligators. Alas, humans are not so blessed.

Wolf spiders, with their eight eyes arranged in three rows on their visage, possess a unique allure. The two large, central eyes in the middle row emit a ghostly green glimmer when illuminated—a fascinating sight indeed.

Preferring terrestrial haunts and eschewing webs, wolf spiders stalk and ambush their prey, resembling their lupine namesakes in hunting tactics. Their arsenal includes a venomous bite, swiftly dispatching insects, small reptiles, and fellow arachnids. Yet, despite their predatory prowess, wolf spiders are not to be feared. Female wolf spiders, in particular, display exemplary maternal care, carrying their egg sacs like a precious burden until the spiderlings are ready to fend for themselves. Though their bite may sting if provoked, it poses little threat to humans.

These arachnids, solitary in nature, inhabit open grasslands or seek refuge beneath rocks and debris. Occasionally, they venture indoors to escape inclement weather, rendering them unwitting allies against household pests. Gardeners, recognizing their pest-controlling prowess, actively cultivate habitats conducive to wolf spiders, refraining from pesticide use and providing ample refuge amidst foliage and detritus.

Equipped with newfound knowledge, I embarked on my own nocturnal exploration, hopeful of encountering these guardians of the night. Armed with a handheld flashlight, I scanned the grass, holding the beam near my eyes. Alas, my initial sightings turned out to be mere dewdrops, dashing my hopes.

Yet, beneath the towering pine tree in my front yard, a glimmer amidst the pine straw caught my eye. Not dew, but eyeshine! There, nestled among the needles, were three wolf spiders, their eyes aglow. Though fewer in number than expected, their presence felt akin to unearthing a hidden treasure trove.

In that moment, I unearthed not only a fascinating natural phenomenon but also a tale to share—a story woven with the threads of Halloween lore. Ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns, bats, and black cats may hold sway over the season, but for me, the true icons of Halloween are the spiders, especially the enigmatic wolf spiders—silent sentinels of the night and cherished denizens of my garden. ❖

About the Author: Jennie Ivey resides amidst the scenic landscapes of Tennessee, where she nurtures both her literary creations and her verdant gardens. Unfazed by the myriad creatures that inhabit her surroundings, Jennie harbors a particular fondness for spiders, inspired in part by the timeless tale of Charlotte, the arachnid heroine of “Charlotte’s Web,” who captured her heart. To learn more about Jennie’s adventures and musings, visit her website at www.jennieivey.com