Callilepis nocturna (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Description of Callilepis nocturna (Moonspider)

Physical Characteristics

Female 3.5 to 6 mm.
Abdomen black with a shiny golden or silver spot on the front, two bright spots on top and before the spinnerets.
Carapace black with shiny golden or silver hair.
Legs light brown to reddish brown with black.
Palps dark brown to black.

Male 3 to 5 mm.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female.

Habitat

Dry, sunny areas with little or no vegetation. Often near cairns. Up to 2,200 m.

Distribution

Occurs in the whole of Europe, but not common.

Period

Spring, summer and autumn.