|
Scotophaeus blackwalli
Scotophaeus blackwalli, also known as the mouse spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Gnaphosidae. It is a ground spider and does not create webs. Instead it hunts for insects and other spiders at night and uses its enlarged spinnerets to produce a sticky silk to subdue its prey. It is also an opportunistic scavenger. Females also use their silk to build protective nests for their eggs.[2] DescriptionThe adult males of these spiders reach 9mm in length, maturing in the early summer, while females reach 12mm, and can be found until autumn.[3][4][5] The carapace is dark brown while the abdomen is brown/grey with hairs resembling the body of a mouse, hence the common name of 'mouse spider'.[4] The legs are brown with thick pubescence.[4] The male has a small scutum on the dorsum of the abdomen.[3] Distribution and habitatScotophaeus blackwalli is native to Europe, the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran. It has been introduced to North America, Peru, and Hawaii.[1] It is commonly found around and inside houses in Britain, usually in the Autumn, and also under bark and in holes in walls in warmer parts of Europe.[4] It hunts nocturnally.[5] Subspecies
References Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scotophaeus blackwalli.
External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portal di Ensiklopedia Dunia
