Dysdera erythrina
This record describes Dysdera erythrina (species). Recorded family: Dysderidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Length 6 to 14 mm. Prosoma dark with parallel margins, opisthosoma greyish or whitish, legs yellow-orange. Large chelicerae, six eyes. Femur IV spineless. Dysdera crocata : femur IV with 1-3 dorsal spines, c.f. D. erythrina : femur IV without dorsal spines. Photographs showing key identification features required. Wide range of habitats, often associated with ants. Widespread in southern Britain but local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Dysderidae
- Genus
- Dysdera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wide range of habitats, often associated with ants.
Seasonal Activity
Spring-Autumn
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in southern Britain but local.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Dysdera erythrina. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dysdera erythrina (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dysdera erythrina
What is Dysdera erythrina?
Dysdera erythrina is a species in the family Dysderidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Dysdera erythrina?
6 to 14 mm. Prosoma dark with parallel margins, opisthosoma greyish or whitish, legs yellow-orange. Large chelicerae, six eyes. Femur IV spineless.
Where is Dysdera erythrina found?
Habitat: Wide range of habitats, often associated with ants.
When is Dysdera erythrina active?
Dysdera erythrina: seasonal activity - Spring-Autumn.