In this family, we can find two genera (Dysdera and Harpactea) with both two species in NW-Europe.
These spiders vary in size between 5 and 14 mm and have an elongated body.
|Like the Oonopidae, Segestriidae and Scytodidae,
they also have six eyes. It is a sinister looking spider with two enormous
The spiders spent the day under stones, especially stones that are warmed by the sun, in a silken cell in which the female spider lays her eggs. It is an active runner. The Dysdera crocata is a cosmopolitan in the United States and usually found around buildings.
She is agressive and will defend herself very quickly. Her bite can be annoying like the prick of a needle.
Dysdera has a prey specialisation in woodlice.
|Dysdera crocata female||Dysdera crocata male|
|Dysdera crocata||Dysdera sp.|
|Dysdera erythrina||Dysdera erythrina jaws|
|Dysdera crocata jaws|
Ed Nieuwenhuys, 1 december 20008,
May 17, 2003.