Arachnophobia: An Indication of Gender?

One of Charlotte's babies has taken up residence under my eave. Protecting her safety has become an act of daily vigilance on my part.

Why are bearers of the Y chromosome so horrified by spiders?

Some of the burliest men I know (my brother and the four penis-bearers in my house, as well) can be reduced to wimpering ninnies at the sight of a spider in their path.

And I don't get it.

Spiders eat the other insects that aren't as pleasant to be around. They protect small pink pigs (one of my favorite books as a child) and they do cool things in space.

What's to fear?

Now disease carrying rats, venom-spewing snakes and squirrely administration officials--that's the stuff of horror films.