Platycryptus undatus
| Platycryptus undatus | ||||||||||||
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Platycryptus undatus , female |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Platycryptus undatus | ||||||||||||
| ( De Geer , 1778) |
Platycryptus Undatus is a web spider from the family of jumping spiders (Salticidae). It is common on the North American continent.
features
The females of this species are 10 to 13 millimeters long, the males only 8.5 to 9.5 millimeters. The basic color of the spider is brown, the legs are striped brown-black and beige. The drawing on the opisthosoma makes it difficult to distinguish the spider from the bark of the trees on which it predominates.
Occurrence
The distribution area of Platycryptus undatus extends from Canada over the United States and Mexico to El Salvador and Guatemala . The spider lives in mixed deciduous forests, but likes to hang out near human settlements and even in apartment buildings.
Way of life
The spiders lurk during the day, especially on vertical objects such as trees, fences, etc. for prey. They also hide under the tree bark. The spiders are active from late May to mid-September. They overwinter in woven protective covers, with up to 50 specimens that overwinter in there. The young spiders hatch in summer.
Synanthropy
The spider can often be found in the human environment. They can be found on the outside walls of houses and garages, as well as wooden sheds and garden fences, where they look for insects. The way of life in the human environment is called synanthropic . The spider arouses the curiosity of some people. It is often and gladly carried on the hand, although it does not flee, but explores the hand and even jumps from finger to finger. The spiders have no tendency to bite, but despite their small size they can. However, they only do this if you squeeze or clamp them.
Web links
Platycryptus undatus in the World Spider Catalog