Larinioides sclopetarius
Bridge spider ( Larinioides sclopetarius ), female
The bridge spider or spider bridge ( Larinioides sclopetarius ) is a spider of the family of Real orb-weaving spiders ( Araneidae ). The species was named after her preference for structures on or above the water and is widespread in Central Europe and frequently.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
- 5.3 External links
Description
The bridge spider is slightly smaller than the familiar garden spider. The females reach a body length of 10-13 mm, the males 6-8 mm. The front body ( prosoma ) is reddish brown monochrome dark. He is bright haired; as in all species of the hair caused by an open forward "V", as well as a wider, the arms of the V encompassing wide "U". In addition, the prosoma - edge is densely hairy and light so clearly separated.
The basic color of the background body ( opisthosoma ) is variable light yellow brown black brown to almost. He almost always has a broad, interrupted in the front part, bright -rimmed sheet drawing and an indicated, also interrupted mid-band. This leaf drawing can be almost gone for very dark individuals; these individuals, however, always show a species-typical, sharply angled V- drawing on the front edge of the opisthosoma. The opisthosoma is compared with other members of the genus considerably flattened. The legs are not curled very striking light and dark.
The males have a smaller rear body and longer legs than the females, the differences are otherwise low.
Similar Species
The bridge spider is due to their drawing and their habitat (see below) in Europe hardly be confused with other species of the genus Larinioides. However, while dark individuals could be confused with the columns spider whose opisthosoma is also strongly flattened and occasionally tells the bridge spider habitat to buildings. The columns spider but always missing the V-shaped hairstyle on the prosoma and the "V" at the front edge of the opisthosoma.
Distribution and habitat
The species inhabited the arctic to subtropical zones of the Holarctic of Iceland and Ireland to Japan, as well as Greenland and America from the mid- Canada to Central America. It occurs in all of Europe.
The species is closely specialized in terms of their habitat and inhabited almost exclusively rocks and structures on or over flowing waters, particularly bridges, as well as residential buildings. It therefore applies in many parts of their range as synanthropic.
Way of life
The bridge spider weaves her orb almost always at angles of bridges and buildings, often above the water and very much in addition to artificial light sources at night to attract insects. In suitable structures, the animals can be found in high density. The spider sits only at night in the center of network. During the day she keeps in hiding in a crevice, or - on smooth surfaces - in a covered spun on.
Endangering
The species is widespread and common in suitable habitats. It is classified as " safely " in Germany in the Red List.