Thyene imperialis (Rossi, 1846)

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Look for the description of the species at the bottom of the page.



Description of Thyene imperialis

Physical Characteristics

Female to 9 mm. Markings variable.
Abdomen light yellow brown with a light yellow area containing dark red to black spots.
Carapace light yellow brown, around the anterior eyes almost white. Next to the lateral eyes are conspicuous black tufts of hair that are curved upwards.
Legs pale yellow-brown with black spines and dark ends.
Palps also pale with black spines, but without black ends.

Male 5 to 8 mm. Markings variable.
Abdomen red with a half white and half black or golden median band with horizontal white stripes and black or golden spots.
Carapace strikingly round shaped. Light brown to almost black or gold with a white border and a short white median band. Area around the anterior eyes is also white. Next to the lateral eyes are conspicuous white tufts of hair in the shape of a laurel wreath.
Legs orange to beige sometimes black annulated with black and white spines and dark ends. Pair of legs I is a lot darker and remarkably thickened and enlarged.
Palps orange to beige with dark ends.

Habitat

Very variable. From dry, rocky or sandy areas to large leaves of shrubs and plants.

Distribution

Common in the Mediterranean area and the Canary Islands.

Period

The portrayed specimen has been found in June. No further information about the period is known.