
Community identification
Woodlouse Spider
Dysdera crocata
- Order & Family
- Araneae, Dysderidae
- Size
- Females 11-15 mm, Males 9-10 mm
Natural Habitat
Under logs, rocks, bricks, and in leaf litter, often near human habitations where woodlice are found.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on woodlice (pillbugs/sowbugs), but will also eat other arthropods.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunters that do not spin webs to catch prey. They use their large chelicerae (jaws) to pierce the tough exoskeleton of woodlice.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. Bite can be painful due to large fangs but venom is not medically significant. Beneficial for controlling woodlouse populations.