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Description of Piratula hygrophila
Physical Characteristics
Female 5 to 6.5 mm.
Abdomen dark brown with a light brown, dark outlined cardiac mark in a light brown median band that changes in chevrons and two rows of white spots towards the spinnerets. These spots are not always clearly present and sometimes lack completely.
Carapace yellowish brown with two dark brown longitudinal stripes, a dark brown tuning fork-like pattern and a dark brown band along the edge.
Legs and palps yellowish brown with dark annulations.
4.5 to 5.5 mm male.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female.
Habitat
Mainly open areas near water, but also damp meadows and forests. Of all Central-European species of the genera Pirata and Piratula this species is the least bound to water surfaces.
Distribution
Common in the whole of Europe.
Period
Summer and autumn.