Desidae

Desidae is a family of araneomorph spiders that contains over 200 species. They are known as the desid spiders or black wall spiders. These spiders are found worldwide, with the highest diversity in Australia. Desid spiders are typically small, with body lengths ranging from 2 to 10 millimeters. They are characterized by their shiny, black or brown coloration and their unique spinnerets. They are most commonly encountered on walls and other vertical surfaces, often hiding in crevices or under loose bark.

Characteristics

Desid spiders are characterized by several key features. They have a robust, rounded body, a cephalothorax (head and thorax) that is wider than it is long, and a short, pointed abdomen. Their legs are relatively short and stout, and their spinnerets are prominent and located at the end of their abdomen. These spiders are often confused with spiders in the family Amaurobiidae, but they can be distinguished by their spinnerets, which are generally smaller and more compact than those of amaurobiid spiders.

Environment

Desid spiders are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including:

  • Walls and other vertical surfaces
  • Underneath loose bark
  • Crevices and cracks in rocks and walls
  • Leaf litter
  • Gardens and yards
  • Forests and woodlands
  • Buildings

They are often found in areas with high humidity and moisture, as they need these conditions to build their webs.

Webs

Desid spiders build small, irregular webs that are often found in dark, secluded locations. They are not considered to be aggressive spiders, and they rarely bite humans. Their webs are generally not visible to humans, but they can be found in areas where the spiders are commonly encountered.

Diet

Desid spiders are nocturnal predators that feed on a variety of insects, including flies, ants, and other spiders. They use their webs to capture their prey, and they inject venom to paralyze their victims.

Reproduction

Female desid spiders produce egg sacs that are usually attached to their webs. They typically guard their egg sacs until the young hatch, after which the spiderlings disperse and build their own webs.

References

For further information on Desidae, see the following reliable resources: