Micaria pulicaria (Sundevall, 1831)

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Description of Micaria pulicaria (Glossy ant spider)

Physical Characteristics

Female 3 to 4.5 mm.
Abdomen black with a strong metallic shine. At the front and in the middle a white horizontal band, a white spot between them and sometimes a row of four white dots at the rear.
Carapace black with a metallic luster and a white star-shaped pattern.
Legs brown with white annulations on the coxae. Femora of the first two pairs of legs black.
Palps brown with black femora.

Male 3 to 4 mm.
Markings and colours almost identical to the female, but the legs are slightly darker.

Habitat

Open, dry areas.

Distribution

Common in the whole of Europe.

Period

Spring and summer.