Guess what? There’s a spider called the woodlouse spider because it loves eating woodlice! It comes from places near the Mediterranean Sea. This cool spider doesn’t make webs; instead, it hunts for its food. We’ve got fun facts about it right here.
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.
Eggs
An average of 70 eggs are laid in an egg cocoon that is made from a few silk strands.
Photo Credit: Pitheadgear
Spiderlings
After the hatching, the young spiders remain dependent on their mothers until they attain maturity which comes after 1 to 1.5 years.
Are Woodlouse Spiders Venomous?
Yes, Woodlouse Spiders are venomous. They use their venom to catch their favorite food, woodlice.
Can Woodlouse Spiders Bite?
Yes, Woodlouse Spiders can bite. While they usually focus on hunting for food, they might bite if they feel scared or cornered. But don’t worry too much; their bite isn’t too bad for most people.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of Woodlouse Spider
The woodlouse spider plays a vital role in controlling the population of woodlice and other small invertebrates, acting as a natural pest control agent. This not only helps in maintaining ecological balance but also aids in reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides, contributing to a healthier environment.
Natural Predators and Prey-Predator Dynamics: While the woodlouse spider is a predator in its own right, it is not without natural threats. Birds, larger spiders, and other predators prey on them, establishing a balanced prey-predator dynamic in their habitats. This balance is crucial for the stability of the ecosystem, ensuring that no single species dominates to the detriment of others.
Relationship with Humans: Generally, woodlouse spiders are beneficial to humans, as they help control the population of woodlice and other pests. They are not aggressive towards humans and only bite when provoked. Educating people about their role and importance can foster a harmonious coexistence and appreciation for these spiders.
A woodlouse spider has a very distinct appearance with a dark red cephalothorax and legs, while its abdomen is a glossy, yellowish-brown color. Other key features include six eyes grouped closely together and exceptionally large forward-facing jaws, or chelicerae, used for hunting its hard-shelled prey.
Woodlouse spiders are medium-sized, with females being larger than males. A female’s body length typically ranges from 0.43 to 0.60 inches (1.0-1.5 cm), whereas a male’s body length is usually between 0.35 and 0.40 inches (0.8-1.0 cm). This measurement does not include their leg span.
Yes, woodlouse spiders are venomous, but their venom is adapted for subduing their prey and is not considered medically significant to humans. While a defensive bite can occur if the spider is provoked, the effects are typically mild and localized, causing minor pain or irritation for most people.
A woodlouse spider possesses exceptionally large chelicerae, or fangs, as a specific adaptation for its diet. These powerful jaws are necessary to effectively pierce the tough, segmented exoskeleton of its primary prey, the woodlouse. This feature makes it a highly specialized and efficient predator of hard-bodied invertebrates.
Woodlouse spiders hunt their prey actively and do not build webs for capture. As nocturnal hunters, they stalk or ambush their food, primarily woodlice. They rely on their strength and large fangs to directly attack and overpower their prey, rather than using silk to ensnare them like many other spiders.
The primary food source for a woodlouse spider is the woodlouse, also known as a pill bug or sow bug. The spider is named for this dietary preference and has specialized physical traits, like its large fangs, to hunt these hard-shelled terrestrial crustaceans, playing a role in their population control.
It takes a woodlouse spider approximately one to one and a half years to reach full maturity. After hatching, the young spiderlings remain with their mother for a period of time. They go through several molts before they are fully grown and capable of reproducing on their own.
Dr Richard J. Pearce (PhD) on January 13, 2019.
Spider Team
