Drassodes

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drassodes: //dɹəˈsoʊ.diz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Drassodes is a genus of ground spiders first described in 1851, featuring species that are generally small, cryptic, and adapted to dry environments.

Physical Characteristics

Typically brownish, grayish, or reddish coloring; body length ranges from 3.8 to 11.6 mm, but can reach up to 20 mm.

Identification Tips

Look for ground-dwelling characteristics and their coloring; often found under rocks or bark.

Habitat

Dry habitats, commonly found under rocks and bark.

Distribution

North America north of Mexico; specific distributions include: D. neglectus from Alaska to Nova Scotia, D. mirus in Alberta and Colorado high mountains, D. gosiutus from Alberta to Connecticut and south to Arizona and Mississippi, D. saccatus from British Columbia to Massachusetts south to Baja California, D. auriculoides from Wisconsin to Massachusetts south to Arkansas and Tennessee, D. serratichelis in Louisiana to Florida, and D. angulus in California.

Ecosystem Role

As ground-dwelling wanderers, they likely play a role in controlling insect populations and contribute to the nutrient cycling in their ecosystems.

Collecting Methods

• Pitfall traps
• Rock flipping

Tags

• ground spiders
• Drassodes
• North America
• Arachnology