European sheetweb spider

European sheetweb spider (Linyphia triangularis)

Web: Sheetweb with ascending threads above the sheet and stabilizing threads underneath.

Habitat: not selective at all. Can be found in many different habitats, as long as there is a possibility to construct a web. Usually in vegetation, such as higher grass, herbs and shrubs. Usually between 30 cm from the ground, ranging up to 2 m. 

How to recognize:

• dark midstripe in the shape of a tuning fork on the cephalothorax
• typical dark drawing on the abdomen (fades with age as the rest of the abdomen gets darker).
• adult male has large, diverging jaws
• one of our largest sheetweb spiders

Looks similar to:

• ao. Linyphia tenuipalpis and Pityohypanthes phrygianus (both much more rare)

Size

♀: 5-7mm

♂: 4,6-7mm

When?

♀: From middle of August till end of October, sometimes until December. Lives longer than male

♂: From middle of August till end of October