Philodromus margaritatus (Clerck, 1757)

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

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



Description of Philodromus margaritatus (Lichen running spider)

Physical Characteristics

Both sexes occur in two completely different variants.

Female 8 to 10 mm.
Abdomen remarkably broad. Grey-brown with dark spots or silvery grey with contrasting black markings.
Carapace grey-brown with a lighter median band or silvery grey with large black spots.
Legs and palps light grey-brown with clear dark brown annulations or silvery grey with black annulations.

Male 5 to 7 mm.
Markings almost identical to the female, but often darker coloured.

Habitat

Mossy trunks in predominantly coniferous forests and orchards.

Distribution

Common in the whole of Europe.

Period

Summer.