Summary for Scytodes thoracica (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Scytodes thoracica Copyright: Peter Harvey
Identification difficulty rating: 2
Name: Scytodes thoracica
Authority: (Latreille, 1802)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Scytodidae
IUCN status: LC

Records: 445
First Record: 1900
Latest Record: 2023

1992-on hectads: 114
Pre-1992 hectads: 48
Total hectads: 143

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
5m to 152m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widespread in Britain south of a line between the Humber and Glamorgan, but very rare further north and absent from Scotland. It is widespread in western and central Europe as far north as Denmark.

Habitat and ecology
This slow moving species acquired the common name of spitting spider from its method of capturing prey. A sticky substance is squirted from the chelicerae in an oscillating movement onto the prey from a distance of as much as 10 mm or more, sticking it to the surface before it is despatched with a bite on the leg and removed from the gum before consumption. The squirting of gum is also used as a defensive measure against other spiders. Scytodes thoracica is limited within Britain to houses and other heated buildings where it may take as long as two or three years for the female to reach maturity. Adults can probably be found throughout the year though our very limited phenology data suggest a peak in July.

Status
Synanthropic

Original author of profile: R. Ruffell

Text based on Harvey, P.R., Nellist, D.R. & Telfer, M.G. (eds) 2002. Provisional atlas of British spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), Volumes 1 & 2. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.  References

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 131 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 161 records with habitat information)

no subhabitat data available

Structural Habitat Data (based on 7 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 38 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Scytodes thoracica

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Scytodes thoracica

Images

Scytodes thoracica with sac 1
Scytodes thoracica with sac 1
Eight legged Dental Nurse.
Eight legged Dental Nurse.
Spitting spider west London
Spitting spider west London
Scytodes thoracica Lmurrell22042021
Scytodes thoracica Lmurrell22042021
Scytodes thoracica size comparison
Scytodes thoracica size comparison
Scytodes thoracica 29 09 18
Scytodes thoracica 29 09 18
Scytodes thoracica 25 02 21
Scytodes thoracica 25 02 21
Evening spitter
Evening spitter
Spitting Spider 0583
Spitting Spider 0583
Scytodes thoracica Gloucs 2
Scytodes thoracica Gloucs 2
Scytodes thoracica Gloucs
Scytodes thoracica Gloucs
Scytodes inside house in Essex
Scytodes inside house in Essex
Scytodes thoracica in bedroom 1
Scytodes thoracica in bedroom 1
Mature male Scytodes thoracica
Mature male Scytodes thoracica
Scytodes thoracica face on.
Scytodes thoracica face on.
Spitting Spider (2014)
Spitting Spider (2014)
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 IV
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 IV
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 III
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 III
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 II
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 II
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 I
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) June-2014 I
Scytodes thoracica (spitting spider)
Scytodes thoracica (spitting spider)
Spitting Spider 4
Spitting Spider 4
Spitting Spider 3
Spitting Spider 3
Spitting Spider 2
Spitting Spider 2
Spitting Spider
Spitting Spider
Scytodes thoracica Dorsal View
Scytodes thoracica Dorsal View
Scytodes thoracica 2
Scytodes thoracica 2
Scytodes thoracica domed carapace
Scytodes thoracica domed carapace
Scytodes thoracica
Scytodes thoracica
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