Zodarion germanicum

Zodarion germanicum is a spider species of the family Zodariidae.

Zodarion germanicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Arachnida
Order:
Araneae
Family:
Zodariidae
Genus:
Zodarion
Species:
Z. germanicum
Binomial name
Zodarion germanicum
(C. L. Koch, 1837)
Synonyms

Lucia germanica
Clubiona amussa
Argus germanica
Enyo germanica

Like most Zodariidae, Z. germanicum is an ant-eating spider. It resembles ants structurally and behaviorally. Z. germanicum specifically mimics large dark ants, such as Formica cinerea, F. truncorum, and Camponotus ligniperda.

Z. germanicum is up to 5 mm in size. Adults occur in Germany from June to August. Unlike many other zodariid spiders, it is active during the day.

If the spider encounters an ant, it retreats and stalks its prey from behind. The bitten ant will continue its walk for about a minute before the poison immobilizes it. Only now the spider will approach its prey and carries it to its hideout.

Distribution

Z. germanicum occurs throughout Central Europe.

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References
    • Pekar, S. & Kral, J. (2002) Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 75:517–532. Abstract

    Sources
    • Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas (German)
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