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

woodhouse spider

[(Anonymous)]

I found one of these critters running across my kichen floor last night and it scared the crap out of me! I use to love spiders when I was a kid but mt sister tramatized me by pouring a cup of spiders over my head when I was about nine or ten and I have had a spider phobia ever since. So I took off my sandal and crushed it bcuz I had no idea what kind of spider it was and I have a 20 month old son. It was so peculiar looking to me and I wanted to know if it was at all poisonous, so I put it in a jar and looked it up. Strange that even tho I smacked it with my shoe, it did not get crushed at all. At first I thought maybe it was playing dead bcuz it sure didn't look dead. I also noticed the big fangs which made me think it might have been poisonous. This was the first, and hopefully, the last time that I have seen this spider.