Bug Identifier
Woodlouse hunter spider
Community identification

Woodlouse hunter spider

Dysdera crocata

Order & Family
Araneae; Dysderidae
Size
Body about 1–2 cm long; legs extend the overall span.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Often found in damp, sheltered places indoors, beneath stones, logs, and debris outdoors.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly hunts woodlice (pill bugs), using its large jaws to pierce their hard coverings.

Behavior Patterns

A nocturnal, ground-dwelling hunter that hides by day; females guard silk egg sacs.

Risks & Benefits

Not aggressive; a bite can cause brief localized pain and swelling. It helps control woodlice and is not dangerous to people.