6 GEELONG NATURALIST Vol. 37 No.1 May 2001 
A Common Introduced Spider 
...Dave King 
Unit 216/86 Church Street, Grovedale 3216 
Introduction 
A recent survey and invertebrate collection project, initiated by the 
Friends of Seaview Park, revealed that an introduced spider, 
Dysdera crocota, was to be commonly found on the escarpment 
overlooking the Barwon River in Geelong (38%-10'-05"S 1449-20'- 
39"E). It is a nocturnal hunting spider, a native of Europe, and now 
to be found in Tasmania and Southeastern Australia. The literature 
states that its bite can be dangerous, but not lethal (Brunet 1996). A 
bite can cause local swelling and the possibility of necrotic 
development. It is not an aggressive spider, but handling should be 
avoided. Antihistamine injections can provide relief of localised 
symptoms (Main 1976). 
Preferred habitat appears to be beneath rocks or fallen timber. 
Invariably found in association with the common slater, a major 
prey. This infers that a moist habitat is an essential requirement for 
the spider's survival. Whilst to be found in close association with 
Figure 1: Dysdera crocota human habitation, a moist ex-dwelling situation will be its preferred 
situation. 
Being a hunter, D. crocota does not use a web to snare its prey, but may lay down silk trip lines to alert it to prey and 
initiate an attack. A sack-like retreat is constructed of silk, attached to the underside of the object forming its habitat. The 
female will use the sack to deposit her eggs and she will remain to guard them. 
An aversion to ants (Main 1976), places a strictly limiting habitat upon D. crocota. At Seaview Park the writer has noted 
that under the rocks, where the spider was found, no ants were to be seen. 
Description 
The mature female, as illustrated in Figure 1, is usually about 15 mm long and has a reddish-brown cephalothorax and 
legs, an abdomen of cream colour with slight pink tinge, lightly hirsute. Order of leg length is 1243, in the resting position 
neld close to the body. Each leg terminates in two claws, pectinate, that is serrated along the inner edge. Distinctive claw 
tufts of tenent (L. tenere, to hold) hair, aid in climbing and traction. Forward projecting chelicerae are surmounted by 
relatively large fangs, which give ita somewhat fearsome appearance and 
capability to inflict a dangerous bite. 
Important diagnostic features of D. crocota are the six eyes closely 
arranged on a low tubercule, Figure 2. All eyes are pearly white as is 
common in nocturnally active spiders. The labium, or lip, has a distinctive 
notch at the tip. The abdomen has two prominent pairs of tracheal 
spiracles, Figure 3. Two posterior spinnerets are widely separated and 
conspicuous from the dorsal aspect. The sternum, ventral plate of the 
cephalothorax, extends around the coxae of each leg to contact the dorsal 
plate at their mutual margins. 
Addendum 
Some of the literature refers to Dysdera crocota (first described by C.L. 
Koch in 1839), as D. australiensis (as described by W.J. Rainbow in ; ; 
1900); this is now obsolete. Taxonomic decision of V.V. Hickman, 1967. “HY  Tracheae spiracles 
- Book-lung slit 
References ; 
Brunet, B. (1996) Spiderwatch, Reed, Melbourne 
Clyne, D. (1969) A Guide to Australian Spiders, Reed, Melbourne 
Davies, V.D. (1986) Australian Spiders, Qld. Museum, Brisbane 
Hickman, V.V. (1967) Zoological Cat. of Aust. Vol. 3, CSIRO, Canberra 
Main, B.Y.(1976) Spiders, Collins, Sydney 
Mascord, R.(1970) Australian Spiders, Reed, Melbourne 
> Figure 3: Ventral view 
