Episinus maculipes is a rare European spider of the family Theridiidae. The known distribution is "England to Algeria, Ukraine, Russia".[1]

Episinus maculipes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Episinus
Species:
E. maculipes
Binomial name
Episinus maculipes
Cavanna, 1876
Known distribution

It is found on the foliage of shrubs and trees. At nightfall, it constructs a simple web, consisting of an inverted 'Y' frame with sticky globules. The frame could be anywhere from five to 20 cm. Almost half of female spiders were found to have caught prey (lacewing larvae and Phytocoris bugs (Capsidae)) within an hour of darkness. Males wander through the vegetation and do not build webs. Both sexes reach adulthood in July and August.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Episinus maculipes". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2 August 2017.