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Description of Pirata piraticus (Pirate otter-spider)
Physical Characteristics
Female 4.5 to 9 mm.
Abdomen brown with a yellow-green with brown and white outlined cardiac mark, white sides and two rows of white spots.
Carapace yellow-green with two dark green longitudinal stripes, a dark green tuning fork-shaped pattern on top and white bands along the side.
Legs and palps greenish.
Male 4 to 8.5 mm.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female.
Habitat
Open areas at still and slowly running water.
Distribution
Common in the whole of Europe.
Period
Female all year. Male spring, summer and autumn.