Скачать или смотреть Common Fox-spider (Alopecosa pulverulenta) - Brighton, April 2021

Spying movement in the undergrowth's undergrowth in the garden, I came across a small clutter of these spiders, all of which were male.

The Common Fox-spider (a member of the Wolf spider family) is one of four Alopecosa species which occur in the UK.

This a medium-sized, ground-dweller, which in common with most Wolf spiders, doesn't spin webs.

Instead, it relies on its impressive speed across the ground, and the element of surprise to capture its prey, neither of which would be that effective without its excellent eyesight.

All wolf spiders have eight dark eyes arranged around their heads (named 'cephalothorax'). Two large eyes gleam from the top; two more large eyes peer out the front; and four smaller eyes form a row just above the spider’s mouth. This gives it almost 360 degree vision.

Pulverulenta is the most frequent member of the genus in the UK and can be seen from spring to autumn in open habitats, dry heathland, woodland& gardens. In fact, just about anywhere, if you look carefully.

If you're lucky you might spot the female with her cocoon eggs of attached to the end of her abdomen, which she carries with her.

PK

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