Haplopelma albostriatum
| Haplopelma albostriatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Haplopelma |
| Species: | H. albostriatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Haplopelma albostriatum (Simon, 1886)[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Haplopelma albostriatum, also known as the edible spider or Thai zebra tarantula, is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.[1]
It is a moderately large fossorial species, which spends most of its time in a burrow. This species's name comes from the Latin Greek prefix albo, meaning white, and the Latin word striatus, meaning lines or striped. This species has white stripes going down each leg, and a white zig-zag pattern on its opisthosoma (abdomen). These patterns on a black background have earned it the common name "Thai zebra tarantula." This tarantula is very skittish and defensive, although it can also be very aggressive. It is an Old World tarantula and, therefore, has no urticating hairs. So, its only defenses are biting and fleeing. This tarantula is known to have venom that is more potent than that of many tarantula species.
When fried, these spiders are sold on the streets of Cambodia.[2] Cooked correctly, H. albostriatum is edible and is high in protein.