Spider Biology Course with Paula Cushing

Whether you’re a spider scholar or curious about their ecological significance, join Butterfly Pavilion for a captivating spider biology course taught by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Dr. Paula Cushing!

You’ll discover:

• The evolutionary relationships between spiders and their closest relatives 
• Insights into spider biology, behavior, and ecological importance 
• Techniques to identify different spider families 
• Certification to participate in the Colorado Spider Survey 

As a seasoned expert, Dr. Cushing brings decades of research experience, having served as President of both the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology. Her passion for spiders runs deep—she even gave her first public lecture on spiders while still in high school! 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the world’s foremost arachnologists and transform your curiosity (or fear) into knowledge. 

Course Schedule:  

• Tuesday, September 30,2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion 
• Thursday, October 2, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion 
• Saturday, October 4, 2025: Collection Day from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  at Butterfly Pavilion (pack a lunch!) 
• Tuesday, October 7, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion 
• Thursday, October 9, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  at Butterfly Pavilion 
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver) 

Tickets: 

•  $250 Non-Member 

•  $230 Member 

Class Topics:  

I. Spider Taxonomy  

1. Where are spiders in the grand scheme of our ecosystem? 

1. Overview of the Class Arachnida 

1. Family tree of spiders 

II. Spider Anatomy – What’s Inside?   

1. External anatomy – which way is up? 

1. Digestive system – bite, vomit, and suck  

1. Excretion  

1. Respiration 

1. Circulatory system 

1. Moving around — it’s not as easy as you think! 

1. Sensory system – hairs, slits, and eyes 

III. Spider Webs and Prey Capture  

1. The importance of silk 

1. Silk organs, glands, and production 

1. How are webs built? 

1. Web diversity 

1. Cursorial hunters 

IV. Continuing the Line  

1. Arachnid sex organs and arachnologists’ obsession with them! 

1. Courtship in web-builders – sing the right silk song! 

1. Courtship in visual hunters – dance for me, baby. 

1. Spider sex on the big screen (maybe) 

1. From spiderling to big mama – it’s a long, hard road 

V. Ecology  

1. They are everywhere! 

1. Spider enemies and anti-predator adaptations 

1. Social spiders – living and eating together 

VI. Spider Diversity  

1. How to identify spiders 

1. Identification to the family level 

1. Identification to genus and species 

1. Laboratory exercises in identification (in the Arachnology lab at the DMNS) 

VII. Collection Day 

1. On Saturday, October 4t, 2025, we will go on a half-day spider collecting trip on the grounds of Butterfly Pavilion.  You’ll learn how to find and collect spiders, so wear a hat, bring water, and pack a lunch.   

Instructor: Paula Cushing, Ph.D., Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology –  Denver Museum of Nature and Science 

Biography: Paula Cushing received her Ph.D. in 1995 from the University of Florida. In 1998, she began her position as Curator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Her research focuses on the biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, and evolutionary ecology of arachnids, particularly spiders and solifuges. She has published numerous scientific articles as well as popular articles about spiders and insects. She is also very active with the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology and has served as President of both these scientific societies.