Tetragnatha extensa
Common Streckerspinne ( Tetragnatha extensa ), female
The common Streckerspinne ( Tetragnatha extensa ) belongs to the order of the spiders ( Araneae) and occurs in all of Europe.
Description
The common Streckerspinne is the largest species of the genus in Central Europe. Females have a body length of 10-12 mm, males are 6-9 mm long. Front body ( prosoma ) and legs are beige brown color.
The elongated rear body ( opisthosoma ) carries on yellowish to greenish reason, a narrow dark line drawing with indicated center line, which is usually surrounded by a dark fine-mesh net drawing. The underside is dark brown.
Males have a large spike at the proximal phalanx of the chelicerae, which is used in copulation for clamping the chelicerae of the female.
Distribution and habitat
The species colonized the entire Holarctic, and Oceania, Australia and New Zealand. The distribution area includes the arctic to subtropical zones. It occurs in all of Europe. It inhabits meadows and tall herb communities in open landscapes, almost always near water.
Way of life
The Streckerspinne built close to the ground or just above the water surface small orb webs with an open hub on blades of grass and plant stems. She is sitting at rest on the underside of leaves and branches in elongated attitude and is very well camouflaged. Mature spiders come from before May to September. Pairings found in Central Europe place mainly in June: When mating process, the male holds the female with his chelicerae chelicerae fixed. The cocoon is very characteristic; he shows numerous irregular, gray or greenish appendages and is usually attached to a blade of grass.
Endangering
The species is widespread and common in suitable habitats. It is classified as " safely " in Germany in the Red List.