The spiders in this family are smaller than 5 mm in length and most of them
are only 2-3 mm.
They have a calamistrum (small comb of hairs to comb out silk) on metatarsus
of leg IV comprising a single row of bristles.
Three genera are known in this family.
Genus Nigma
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Nigma walckenaeri female |
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These spiders were previously assigned to the genus Heterodictyna. Only three species are known in NW-Europe. All three species have a greenish color. They can be found on bushes and trees in the neighborhood of houses. |
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Nigma walckenaeri female |
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Nigma walckenaeri female close-up |
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| This green spider hides below a sheet of silken preferably on large leaves that have the same color as its body. From the retreat, warning lines are spun over the leave. It catches flies far larger than itself. Its size is 3 - 5 mm and is full-grown in August and September. The old name of this species was Nigma viridissima | |
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Spiders in love. Left Nigma walckenaeri, right Nigma puella.
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Nigma puella
Nigma puella male and female
Genus Dictyna
Seven species can be found in NW-Europe. Their size varies
between 2 and 4 mm. Male and females are similar in appearance.
The spider spins a cribellate web in the top of plants. They
prefer dead, dry vegetation. The web is permanent and becomes
full of debris.
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| Dictyna latens | Dictyna latens |
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| Dictyna arudinacea / uncinata | Dictyna arudinacea / uncinata |
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| Dictyna arudinacea / uncinata | Dictyna arudinacea / uncinata |
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Ed Nieuwenhuys, 10 July 2010
26 october 2005
