Reed spider
| Reed spider | ||||||||||||
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Common reed spider ( Larinioides cornutus ), female |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Larinioides cornutus | ||||||||||||
| ( Clerck , 1757) |
The reed spider ( Larinioides cornutus ) is a species of spider from the family of the real orb web spiders (Araneidae).
anatomy
The reed spider is slightly smaller than the well-known garden spider . The females grow to 9 to 13 millimeters, the males 6 to 8 millimeters. The color of the back of the body ( opisthosoma ) is very variable. The color palette ranges from black and white to dark brown-light brown-pink-white to dark brown-red-brown. There is a dark wedge mark at the front end of the back of the body. It has a wide, light border that widens further towards the rear. Further back is a sheet drawing, which is framed in light colors and interspersed with light horizontal stripes.
The front body ( prosoma ) has a dark basic color and is lightly haired.
The males of the reed spider have a smaller rear body and longer legs. The drawing of the back of the body is also usually more contrasting than that of the females.
Similar species
The bridgehead spider ( Larinioides sclopetarius ) and the edged reed spider ( Larinioides patagiatus ) resemble the reed spider in size and appearance. They can, however, be distinguished from the opisthosoma and prosoma by the different details and the different habitats. For a reliable determination, the shape of the epigyne and the pedipalpen should be compared.
behavior
The reed spider weaves its orb web between more stable grasses, on low bushes and in the reeds . At the edge of the net it builds a tightly woven hiding place, usually open at the bottom. The spider prefers to stay there during the day; it can usually only be found on the internet at night. During the mating season in spring and autumn, the male stays near the female's net and even lives together with the female in hiding places for a long time. This is also where the eggs are laid. The cocoons are fixed in the hiding place and guarded there.
Occurrence and distribution
It is a typical representative in coastal biotopes , fens , orchards and on inland waters. It is less common in raised bogs or wet meadows . It often shares its habitat with the common spider ( Tetragnatha extensa ) and with the dwarf spider Erigone atra . The reed spider is widespread throughout Europe and is not uncommon.
Web links
Larinioides cornutus in the World Spider Catalog
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Heiko Bellmann , Kosmos-Atlas Arachnids of Europe, Kosmos-Verlag, ISBN 3-440-09071-X
- ↑ Heimer, Stefan and Nentwig, Wolfgang; 1991: Spinning Central Europe. Publisher Paul Parey Berlin. ISBN 3-489-53534-0
- ↑ Hänggi, Ambros; Stöckli, Edi; Nentwig, Wolfgang, 1995. Habitat of Central European Spiders. Miscellanea Faunistica Helvetiae - Center suisse de cartographie de la faune, Neuchatel. ISBN 2-88414-008-5
- ^ Atlas of the arachnids of Europe