Named after the prey it feeds on (woodlice), this species has its origin in the Mediterranean area. Belonging to the Dysderidae family, the woodlouse spider does not make webs as it relies on hunting.
Size: Females are typically 0.43-0.60 in (1.0-1.5 cm) and males are 0.35-0.40 in (0.8-1.0 cm)
Color: The cephalothorax and legs are dark red while the glossy abdomen is yellowish brown.
Other Characteristic Features: The spider has six eyes along with an exceptionally large chelicerae or jaw.
Average 70 eggs are laid in an egg cocoon that is made from a few silk strands.
After the hatching the young spiders remain dependent on their mothers until they attain maturity that comes after 1 to 1.5 years.
The spider might bite with its strong and big jaw but it is not venomous to human. There could be an itching sensation that might last up to 1-2 hours.
| Also Known as | Pillbug hunter, slater spider, sowbug killer, sowbug hunter, woodlouse hunter |
| Distribution | New Zealand, Australia, certain regions of South |
| Habitat | Bricks, rocks, underneath logs, and heap of leaves |
| Diet | Primarily woodlice, earwigs, millipedes, and silverfish |
| Lifespan | 3-4 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
Image Credit: I.guim.co.uk, 1.bp.blogspot.com, Thefridayspider.files.wordpress.com, Spiderid.com, Spiderhugger.com, Bugguide.net, C1.staticflickr.com, Arachne.org.au
Named after the prey it feeds on (woodlice), this species has its origin in the Mediterranean area. Belonging to the Dysderidae family, the woodlouse spider does not make webs as it relies on hunting.
Size: Females are typically 0.43-0.60 in (1.0-1.5 cm) and males are 0.35-0.40 in (0.8-1.0 cm)
Color: The cephalothorax and legs are dark red while the glossy abdomen is yellowish brown.
Other Characteristic Features: The spider has six eyes along with an exceptionally large chelicerae or jaw.
Average 70 eggs are laid in an egg cocoon that is made from a few silk strands.
After the hatching the young spiders remain dependent on their mothers until they attain maturity that comes after 1 to 1.5 years.
The spider might bite with its strong and big jaw but it is not venomous to human. There could be an itching sensation that might last up to 1-2 hours.
| Also Known as | Pillbug hunter, slater spider, sowbug killer, sowbug hunter, woodlouse hunter |
| Distribution | New Zealand, Australia, certain regions of South |
| Habitat | Bricks, rocks, underneath logs, and heap of leaves |
| Diet | Primarily woodlice, earwigs, millipedes, and silverfish |
| Lifespan | 3-4 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
Image Credit: I.guim.co.uk, 1.bp.blogspot.com, Thefridayspider.files.wordpress.com, Spiderid.com, Spiderhugger.com, Bugguide.net, C1.staticflickr.com, Arachne.org.au
