365 Urban Species. #098: Woodlouse Spider

[urbpan]

Urban species #098: Woodlouse spider Dysdera crocata

While handling this spider trying (unsuccessfully) to get a better photograph, I became unnerved when I noticed its fangs. Usually on a spider this size (maybe 3/4 or an inch, or a little less than 2 cm) the fangs are inconspicuous, tucked away underneath. The woodlouse spider has long, obvious fangs, presumably strong and sharp for piercing the shell of their crustacean prey. Most spiders' fangs are not strong enough to bite through human skin, but some are, and this individual looked capable. But it showed no inclination to bite, instead clambering in a panic to remove itself from the light.

Research after the fact indicates that it indeed could have bitten me, but it wouldn't have injured me seriously. Or to use some delicious technical language: "D. crocata bites have been implicated in causing a localized, intensely pruritic rash with coalescing dermal papules 4-5 mm in diameter.  The bites apparently do not result in any systemic neurotoxicity or cytotoxicity." (http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/Spider/spiders.htm)

The woodlouse spider, unsurprisingly, is found anywhere woodlice are. Under logs and stones and other debris near buildings is where you will most likely encounter one. They were apparently introduced to North America and Australia, along with their favored prey, from Europe. It's possible that no introduced woodlice are considered invasive because their predator comes along with them when they travel.

Comments

Woodlous Spider

[(Anonymous)]

I get loads of these in my house here in England-varying colours from blood red and pinky-pearl to purple and mauve to brown and grey.

I've currently got a large brown/grey specimen crawling around a glass where I trapped it-its got nasty big black fangs :s

They can be agressive but most of the time they are eager to run away when they encounter people.

They are very agile and be a pain to catch.

But the thing about them that really freaks me out is the way they wait outside my window until I eventually open it and then they jump inside as soon as it does!

They are too clever.....


I had a bit of an odd encounter with a blood-red female the other day when I went into the downstairs bathroom and suddenly felt a small weight on my hand-I turn on the light to see it hunched up between my knuckles!

It soon realised that perhaps its choice of hiding place was unwise and so it squirted some browny-white stuff (spider poo lol?) on my hand before I flicked it away.

I don't like these spiders which is why I'm glad I've got a nice population of daddy-long-legs spiders that occasionally snare one or two of these for their supper!