Harpactea hombergi explained

Harpactea hombergi is genus of spiders in the family Dysderidae. It is native to Europe.

Taxonomy

In 1763, Giovanni Antonio Scopoli described a spider under the name Aranea hombergii. In 1830, Charles Walckenaer transferred the species to the genus Dysdera as Dysdera hombergi. In 1835, the genus name "Harpactes" was published for a taxon split off from Dysdera. Authors such as Eugène Simon in 1893 used this genus name for H. hombergi, but when published, Harpactes had already been used for a bird genus, so it was not available. In 1939, W. S. Bristowe published the replacement name Harpactea, with this species becoming Harpactea hombergi.

Description

Mature males of Harpactea hombergi have a body length of, mature females . The cephalothorax is dark brown, narrowing towards the front. The abdomen is greyish, forming a relatively narrow tube, particularly in males. It has been described as "sausage-shaped". The legs are pale brown with darker rings.

Distribution and habitat

Harpactea hombergi is widespread throughout Europe, including Britain, and has been described as "fairly common". In the daytime, it is found in a silken cell under bark, stones, and similar debris. It emerges at night to hunt a variety of invertebrates.