Dictyna arundinacea (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Description of Dictyna arundinacea (Common mesh-weaver)

Physical Characteristics

Closely resembles the Barbed mesh-weaver (Dictyna uncinata).
Female 2,5 to 4,5 mm.
Abdomen with a reddish-brown to dark brown wavy cardiac mark and an equally coloured band behind it which stretches out as far as the spinnerets. Sides with thick white hairs.
Carapace black-brown with white hairs on the head region.
Legs and palps reddish brown to brown with thin white annulations.

Male 2 to 3 mm.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female.

Habitat

At various plants in sunny, open areas such as meadows and verges. Often on heather.

Distribution

Common in the whole of Europe.

Period

Spring, summer and autumn.