Cave spider
| European cave spider | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Family: | Tetragnathidae |
| Genus: | Meta |
| Species: | M. menardi |
| Binomial name | |
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Meta menardi (Latreille, 1804) |
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The European cave spider, Meta menardi, is a long-jawed orb-weaving spider (Family Tetragnathidae) it is also known as the orbweaving cave spider, the cave orbweaver and simply the cave spider (in context).
They have a natural range extending from Scandinavia to North Africa and from Europe to Korea, there are also transplanted populations as far apart as Japan and Madagascar.
The adult spiders are photophobic and live in places free from light, frequently in caves and tunnels, though they can sometimes be seen outside of caves and mines as they will emerge around dusk to hunt, often using a single silk lasso line and swinging down upon their prey. They are often found in areas that are frequented by bats. The spiders are most often observed in railway tunnels and mines since these are more likely to be visited by humans. The young spiders are, after several instars, (and in contrast to the adults) strongly attracted to light—probably an evolutionary adaptation which ensures the spread of the species to new areas (see Life cycle for further details).
They are shiny satin black to reddish brown in colour, often having a different coloured rear body which varies from black, brown or even olive green and are one of the largest spiders found in the United Kingdom with adults reaching roughly 5 cm legspan and 15 mm body length. However, the giant house spider, cardinal spider and the raft spider are larger. It is widespread and locally abundant, although rarely noticed due to its habits. They are neither endangered nor protected in the UK.
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Wikipedia