Dysdera crocata (the woodlouse hunter), together with its preferred foods – woodlice, has been transported over much of the planet. Dysdera also feeds on beetles. These spiders have very large chelicerae, which they use to pierce the armoured bodies of woodlice and beetles. There are also some reports that they have a mildly toxic venom that can cause local reactions in humans; with their huge fangs there is little doubt that they could bite if threatened, but the venom has not been well studied. It is probably wise not to handle these spiders.
The spiders have their six eyes arranged in a semicircle. The first two pairs of legs face forward. Dysdera crocata has a characteristic colouring – the carapace is dull red-brown and the abdomen gray or tan. The “two-tone” look, with the abdomen much lighter than the cephalothorax, is quite striking. These rather large, burly-looking, slow-moving spiders are often seen in the autumn in basements and other cool areas of homes; presumably they are looking for a winter shelter. (Info: Wikipedia)
All photos are copyright to their owners and may not be reproduced without permission.
