Other Common Names
Sow Bug Hunter, Pill Bug Hunter, Stiletto spider
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
The genus name originates from the 2nd century B.C. poet Nicander.
Greek adjective: 'hard to fight against'. Cameron(2005)
(1)Numbers
The only member of the family in NA.
Range
Introduced to North America and widely distributed in the Nearctic.
(1). Originally from the Mediterranean area.
Food
Primary prey is isopods; hence the large chelicerae and fangs.
Life Cycle
This species is reported to take up to a year and half to mature, and live an additional two to three years in captivity.
(1)Remarks
A six-eyed spider.
Regarding the bite of this spider:
"Bites by the woodlouse spider, Dysdera crocata, are virtually innocuous. The main symptom is minor pain, typically lasting less than 1 hr, probably due mostly to the mechanical puncture of the skin."
- Vetter, R. & Isbister, G. 2006. Verified bites by the woodlouse spider, Dysdera crocata. Toxicon 47 (2006) 826-829.
Internet References
Pub.Med. Verified bites by the woodlouse spider,
Dysdera crocata. Vetter, RS, Isbister, GK.