The Common Spiders of the United StatesEmerton, J. H. (James Henry)
Science
The Common Spiders of the United States
Emerton, J. H. (James Henry)
Spiders -- United States
$Xysticus limbatus.$--This is one of the largest species, the females
reaching a length of a third to half an inch (figs. 89, 90). The thorax
is one-eighth of an inch wide and nearly as long. The abdomen is a
little wider at the hinder end. The legs are short, the longest about
half an inch in length. The whole body is hairy. The color is brown, the
markings dark on a light ground, best shown by the figures. The middle
of the head and thorax is more fully covered by the dark markings than
in other species. There is great variation in the color, and young
spiders are usually lighter than adults. Adult males and females in June
and July.
[Illustration: FIGS. 91, 92. Xysticus gulosus.--91, female. 92, male.
Both enlarged four times.]
$Xysticus gulosus.$--This is a very distinct species and less variable
in markings than _limbatus_ and _stomachosus_. The color is brown or
gray, with indistinct darker markings (figs. 91, 92). The whole body is
covered with fine brown spots and has at the hinder end of the thorax
and on the legs traces of the same markings that show more distinctly in
_stomachosus_. There are a few transverse dark lines on the hinder half
of the abdomen and less distinct longitudinal lines at the sides of the
front half.
The male is a fourth smaller than the female, with a smaller abdomen and
more slender legs, but the same colors and markings. It is usually found
under bark or stones which it closely resembles in color.
[Illustration: FIGS. 93, 94. Xysticus nervosus.--93, female. 94, male.
Both enlarged four times.]
$Xysticus nervosus.$--This is a pale species, the females of which are
nearly as large as _limbatus_. The color is light brownish yellow, with
small spots of lighter and darker color scattered all over the body, and
there are traces of the markings which are more distinct in other
species (figs. 93, 94). On the hinder half of the abdomen are three or
four pairs of very indistinct transverse markings. The legs are marked
with irregular dark and light spots, without any distinct rings or
markings, and the first and second pairs are darker than the others. In
the male the first and second legs are twice as long as the third and
longer and more slender than in the other species. It lives on fences
and under bark.
[Illustration: FIGS. 95, 96, 97. Xysticus triguttatus.--95, female. 96,
male. Both enlarged four times. 97, front of head much enlarged to show
eyes and mandibles].
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account