Pirata (genus)

Pirata sp. ( Female with cocoon )

Pirata ( "Water Hunter") is a genus of the family of wolf spiders ( Lycosidae ). Most Pirata species are up to a centimeter in size and therefore belong in Central Europe to the small to medium sized wolf spiders.

Mark

The Pirata species typically have a bright central band on the head chest ( carapace ), which includes a fork-like brand in a darker tone. For darker forms of this pattern may be difficult to distinguish.

Way of life

All Pirata species colonize moist habitats, especially the banks of different waters, but also swampy meadows and moist to wet moss turf. They are able to skillfully run on water surfaces by exploiting the Wasserhäutchen created by the surface tension. On the other hand, they can also pierce this surface pellicle and diving. They take the fur felt the abdomen with air below the water surface and can therefore spend some time under water. So they hunt on the surface of the water from shore regions to there flying into or unfortunate small insects but also by insect larvae that hang below the surface. Underwater, they also pursue small crustaceans and isopods, but they eat out of the water. When hunting, they are based on visual motion cues of their prey. The types build vertical tubes in moss or soft ground, serve as their retreat. However, most of the time they are outdoors.

Reproduction

As with all the female wolf spider weaves a waterproof silk cocoon in which she deposits the eggs and then quite firmly to the spinnerets adhesive wears and defended himself. This form of parental care, the offspring are protected from harmful environmental influences and from enemies. Females of P. piraticus expose the cocoon in the sunshine at the openings of their burrows. After hatching, the young remain on the abdomen of the mother and be carried around until the first molt. This form of parental care is widespread in wolf spiders.

Selected species

In Europe, the genus is represented by about eleven species. The following species occur in Central Europe more frequently:

• Pirata piraticus ( Clerck 1758)
• Pirata piscatorius ( Clerck 1758)
• Pirata tenuitarsis (Simon )
• Pirata uligonosus ( Clerck, 1758) - threatened with extinction