Pisaura mirabilis (Clerck, 1757)

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Description of Pisaura mirabilis (Nursery web spider)

Physical Characteristics

Tekening variabel.

Female 11 to 15 mm.
Abdomen light brown to dark brown with a not very clear, lighter cardiac mark and lighter sides with a wavy dark edge. Sometimes with black spots.
Carapace dark brown on top with a thin yellow-brown median band which ends at the front in a small wavy tuft of hair that protrudes forward above the eyes. Sides light brown with thin whitish lines and long whitish spots next to the eyes.
Legs brown with slightly lighter femora.
Palps brown.

Male 10 to 13 mm.
Markings almost identical to the female, but often darker coloured.

Habitat

Several open areas such as meadows, forest edges and forest trails.

Distribution

Common in the whole of Europe.

Period

Winter, spring and summer.