
Community identification
Woodlouse Spider
Dysdera crocata
- Order & Family
- Order: Araneae; Family: Dysderidae
- Size
- Males 9-10 mm; Females 11-15 mm (excluding legs)
Natural Habitat
Found in damp, dark places under logs, rocks, bricks, and leaf litter; often near houses in gardens or basements.
Diet & Feeding
Specializes in eating woodlice (sowbugs/pillbugs), using elongated chelicerae to pierce their hard exoskeletons.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunter that does not spin webs for prey, instead wandering to find woodlice; they spend the day in silk retreats among debris.
Risks & Benefits
Beneficial as natural pest control for sowbug populations; their bite can be painful but is not considered medically significant to humans.