[3] Urticating hairs are distinct to new world tarantulas including the Avicularia that are attached to the spider's cuticle via a stalk.

[4] These spiny, barbed hairs are used as a defense against potential intruders as well as embedded into silk to protect the egg sac.

This refers to a 1705 illustration by Maria Sibylla Merian, showing a tarantula that appears to be of this genus feeding on a bird.

[6] Ironically, the term "bird-eater" is more typically applied to the common names of large terrestrial species of tarantulas, such as the Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi), the burgundy Goliath bird eater (Theraphosa stirmi), and the Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana).

[6][1] As of March 2017[update], the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species:[1] Transferred to other genera:[1] Treated as synonyms or as nomina dubia:[1]