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
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.
These spiders spin a cocoon around the eggs to protect them.
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.
They spin tangled three-dimensional webs, usually on the sloping ground covered with vegetation.
Their venom is less dangerous than true black widows, and their bite is similar to that of the wasp sting.
| 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 |
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
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.
These spiders spin a cocoon around the eggs to protect them.
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.
They spin tangled three-dimensional webs, usually on the sloping ground covered with vegetation.
Their venom is less dangerous than true black widows, and their bite is similar to that of the wasp sting.
| 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 |
Image Source: s3.amazonaws.com
