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Ladybird (Eresus sandaliatus)

The beautiful ladybird spider of the velvet spider family is found in the northern and central parts of Europe. The coloration of the male spiders mimics the ladybird’s appearance, resulting in its name.

Ladybird Spider

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 0.39-0.62 inches (0.99-1.5 cm) and males are 0.23-0.35 inches (0.58-0.88 cm) long.

Color: The females have a jet black body. On the other hand, the males appear orange-black, with four prominent and two small black spots. They even have black and white bands on their legs.

Other Characteristic Features: There is no white hair on the abdomen, neither any red ones on the leg.

Ladybird Spider Size

Eggs

Female ladybird spiders lay 35-40 eggs, wrapping them carefully in silk.

Spiderlings

After emerging from the eggs, hatchlings are fed on a special liquid provided by their mother. Interestingly, the female spider lets herself die by digesting her body parts. Then the spiderlings suck on the body to keep themselves well-fed. Male spiderlings develop into adults when they are three, while the females could take a year longer.

The Web

They make messy webs, sometimes even decorating them with the insect’s bodies that they prey upon.

Ladybird Spider Web

Are Ladybird Spiders Venomous

They may bite when threatened, which, however, is not known to cause serious effects.

Quick Facts

Distribution Northern Italy, Southern Norway, and England
Habitat South-facing slopes that are sheltered
Diet Insects
Web-type Messy and no particular pattern followed
IUCN Conservation Status Not Listed
Male Ladybird Spider

Did You Know

  • The British Red Data Book classifies it as endangered, thus this species has been receiving protection since 1981 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Female Ladybird Spider

Image Credits: Thekidshouldseethis.com, I.pinimg.com, Spiderzrule.com, Ourbreathingplanet.com, Community.rspb.org.uk

The beautiful ladybird spider of the velvet spider family is found in the northern and central parts of Europe. The coloration of the male spiders mimics the ladybird’s appearance, resulting in its name.

Ladybird Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 0.39-0.62 inches (0.99-1.5 cm) and males are 0.23-0.35 inches (0.58-0.88 cm) long.

Color: The females have a jet black body. On the other hand, the males appear orange-black, with four prominent and two small black spots. They even have black and white bands on their legs.

Other Characteristic Features: There is no white hair on the abdomen, neither any red ones on the leg.

Ladybird Spider Size

Eggs

Female ladybird spiders lay 35-40 eggs, wrapping them carefully in silk.

Spiderlings

After emerging from the eggs, hatchlings are fed on a special liquid provided by their mother. Interestingly, the female spider lets herself die by digesting her body parts. Then the spiderlings suck on the body to keep themselves well-fed. Male spiderlings develop into adults when they are three, while the females could take a year longer.

The Web

They make messy webs, sometimes even decorating them with the insect’s bodies that they prey upon.

Ladybird Spider Web

Are Ladybird Spiders Venomous

They may bite when threatened, which, however, is not known to cause serious effects.

Quick Facts

Distribution Northern Italy, Southern Norway, and England
Habitat South-facing slopes that are sheltered
Diet Insects
Web-type Messy and no particular pattern followed
IUCN Conservation Status Not Listed
Male Ladybird Spider

Did You Know

  • The British Red Data Book classifies it as endangered, thus this species has been receiving protection since 1981 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Female Ladybird Spider

Image Credits: Thekidshouldseethis.com, I.pinimg.com, Spiderzrule.com, Ourbreathingplanet.com, Community.rspb.org.uk

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