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Steatoda paykulliana

Steatoda paykulliana is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. This spider was named after famed Swedish naturalist Gustaf von Paykull.

Scientific Classification

Steatoda paykulliana

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.45-0.84 cm Female: 0.8-1.3 cm

Color: These spiders are black and covered with two orange-red stripes – one on the dorsal region and the other laterally.

Other Characteristic Features: They resemble black widow spiders but do not belong to the same genus.

Eggs

These spiders spin a cocoon around the eggs to protect them.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings hatch at the end of summer. When winter comes, they hibernate.

Female spiderlings have ivory-yellow stripes, which become darker as they become adults.

The Web

They spin tangled three-dimensional webs, usually on the sloping ground covered with vegetation.

Is the Steatoda paykulliana Spider Venomous

Their venom is less dangerous than true black widows, and their bite is similar to that of the wasp sting.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-3 years
Distribution Throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This includes Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dagestan, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Great Britain, Greece, Herzegovina, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Northwest China, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovenia, Southern Kyrgyzstan, Spain,     Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan,  Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tunisia,   Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Habitat Dry or semi-dry habitats, like calcareous hills and quarries, dunes, heathlands, and rock crevices
Common Predators Other spiders
Diet Insects like crickets, cockroaches, ladybirds, woodlice, and spiders, including true black widows

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1805.

Image Source: s3.amazonaws.com

Steatoda paykulliana is a member of the family of comb-footed spiders. This spider was named after famed Swedish naturalist Gustaf von Paykull.

Steatoda paykulliana

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.45-0.84 cm Female: 0.8-1.3 cm

Color: These spiders are black and covered with two orange-red stripes – one on the dorsal region and the other laterally.

Other Characteristic Features: They resemble black widow spiders but do not belong to the same genus.

Eggs

These spiders spin a cocoon around the eggs to protect them.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings hatch at the end of summer. When winter comes, they hibernate.

Female spiderlings have ivory-yellow stripes, which become darker as they become adults.

The Web

They spin tangled three-dimensional webs, usually on the sloping ground covered with vegetation.

Is the Steatoda paykulliana Spider Venomous

Their venom is less dangerous than true black widows, and their bite is similar to that of the wasp sting.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-3 years
Distribution Throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This includes Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dagestan, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Great Britain, Greece, Herzegovina, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Northwest China, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovenia, Southern Kyrgyzstan, Spain,     Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan,  Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tunisia,   Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Habitat Dry or semi-dry habitats, like calcareous hills and quarries, dunes, heathlands, and rock crevices
Common Predators Other spiders
Diet Insects like crickets, cockroaches, ladybirds, woodlice, and spiders, including true black widows

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1805.

Image Source: s3.amazonaws.com

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