Woodlouse spider

Taxobox
name = Woodlouse spider

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Araneae
subordo = Araneomorphae
familia = Dysderidae
genus = "Dysdera"
species = "D. crocata"
binomial = "Dysdera crocata"
binomial_authority = C. L. Koch, 1838
range_

---

range_map_width = 250px
synonyms ="D. interrita"
"D. gracilis"
"D. rubicunda"
"D. wollastoni"
"D. maurusia"
"D. balearica"
"D. coerulescens"
"D. crocota"
"D. australiensis"
"D. sternalis"
"D. cretica"
"D. menozzii"
"D. palmensis"
"D. inaequuscapillata"

The woodlouse spider ("Dysdera crocata") is a species of spider that preys exclusively upon woodlice.

Appearance

Female specimens are 11-15 mm long whilst males are 9-10 mm.They have a dark-red thorax and legs, and a yellow-brown abdomen. Notably, they have disproportionately large jaws.

Distribution

"D. crocata" has a cosmopolitan distribution.

Behavior

They are usually to be found under logs in warm places, often close to woodlice. They have been found in houses. They spend the day in a silk cocoon and hunt at night without the use of a web. Their diet comprises exclusively of woodlice which — despite their tough exoskeleton — are pierced easily by the spider's large jaws.

The reproduction of these spiders is typically aggressive. They risk injury from each other's jaws. The female lays her eggs in a silk cocoon and is thought to look after her young after hatching.

They have been known to bite humans if handled. Their venom is not generally dangerous; however, in very rare occurrences it can be fatal as a result of an allergic reaction if medical attention is not administered.

References

* (2008): [http://research.amnh.org/entomology/spiders/catalog/index.html The world spider catalog] , version 8.5. "American Museum of Natural History".
*cite journal |quotes=no |author=Rodriguez Gil, S. G., L. M. Mola, A. G. Papeschi & C. L. Scioscia |year=2002 |title=Cytogenetic heterogeneity in common haplogyne spiders from Argentina (Arachnida, Araneae) |journal=Journal of Arachnology |volume=30 |pages=47–56 |url=http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v30_n1/arac-030-01-0047.pdf |format=PDF |doi=10.1636/0161-8202(2002)030 [0047:CHICHS] 2.0.CO;2 |doilabel=10.1636/0161-8202(2002)030[0047:CHICHS]2.0.CO;2

External links

* [http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?SUB=11507 Pictures of "Dysdera crocata"] (free for noncommercial use)