Gnaphosidae youngsters This genus is closely related to the family Clubionidae. Forty-one species of this family are known in NW-Europe. They have large cylindrical spinners. Their abdomen has no clear markings and the colors range between grayish brown and black. The are nocturnal hunters and spend the day in a silken retreat.
The females make their thick walled egg sacs in the summer and guard it until the youngsters are born.
Gnaphosidae youngsters
Gnaphosidae youngsters
Genus Callilepis
Callilepis nocturna
Only this species (size 3 - 6 mm) can be found in NW-Europe. The spider can be seen running in the sun with the movement of an ant hunting for them.
Genus Drassodes
Several species can be found in our region. They have a hairy mouse, grey-brown abdomen and resemble some Clubiona species. However, they are easily distinguished by the long tubular spinners. Females seal themselves in silken cells with their egg sac. They are nocturnal hunters. Their size varies between 9 and 18 mm.
Drassodes lapidosus
Genus Poecilochroa
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Two species occur in this region. Her abdomen has a clear pattern of white hairs. They can be found under stones and are frequently active in the sunshine. Their size varies between 6 and 9 mm. |
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Poecilochroa conspicua |
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Genus Nomisia
This spider with a size between 6 and 12 mm can be found at daytime predating ants on dry spots between grass and on dunes.
Nomisia aussereri female and male.
Genus Scotophaeus (Herpyllus)
The three species in this genus are quite large (8-16 mm. They are nocturnal wanderers and are found mainly in and around the house.
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Scotophaeus blackwalli ?
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The abdomen of Scotophaeus blackwalli has a mousy gray look. The head-breast part is coloured dark brown |
| Scotophaeus blackwalli ? | |
Genus Gnaphosa
The 15 species are not very common of which most live in Scandinavia. The spiders are thick, have a dull brownish gray color, and are hairy like a mouse. The G. leporina is the most common one.
Gnaphosa leporina (probably)
Genus Micaria
These spiders are also called ant-mimicking spiders. Fifteen species are described and their size is between 2.5 and 7 mm. They can be seen running between detritus and stones in an ant-like fashion in the sunshine searching for prey. They all have an iridescent abdomen that can become very beautiful in the sunshine.
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Micaria romana
Micaria sp.
Genus Zelotus
Most spiders of this genus are black and are between 3 - 8 mm in large. They are nocturnal hunters and can be found under stones and detritus. They make a disk shaped egg sac that is white or pink of color.
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Zelotus lutetianus |
Zelotus latreillei |
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Zelotus pedestris |
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Unknown
Ed Nieuwenhuys, March 13, 2000
