Nigma walckenaeri

Nigma walckenaeri is a green cribellate spider up to five millimetres long, the largest of the family Dictynidae. While most of the body is a somewhat yellowish, the abdomen is a shining green, which makes it rather distinct and hard to confuse with other species. The green color makes it almost invisible. Males have an elevated head region. From August to October these spiders can be found in gardens or on walls - often on big leaves such as lilac or feral grapevine. The spider catches insects, sometimes larger than itself, in its web, which it builds on the surface of leaves. The female hides the 7-millimetre long egg sac on a place distant from its retreat.

In Great Britain, until 1993, it was only found in London and the Home Counties. It may originally have been imported into Kew Gardens.

Name

The species is named in honor of Charles Athanase Walckenaer.

References

• Bellmann, H. (1997). Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas. (German)

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