Micaria pulicaria

(Sundevall, 1831)

glossy ant spider, Glossy Ant-spider

Micaria pulicaria is a small ground spider in the Gnaphosidae, commonly known as the spider. It exhibits myrmecomorphy—ant mimicry—through both appearance and , though it does not prey on ants. The has a Holarctic distribution and shows strong preference for sandy, open ground with scattered stones.

Micaria pulicaria by (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma. Used under a CC-BY license.Micaria pulicaria by (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma. Used under a CC-BY license.Micaria micans and Micaria peliculia, femora IV, dorsal view by Christoph Muster and Peter Michalik. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Micaria pulicaria: //mɪˈkɛə.riə pjuːlɪˈkɛə.riə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Micaria by the specific pattern of two parallel white lines across the and three dots. The highly iridescent opisthosoma contrasts with the less iridescent . The black on anterior legs versus dark brown on posterior legs is a consistent diagnostic feature. -mimicking leg-quivering may aid field recognition.

Images

Appearance

Small spider with females measuring 2.7–4.5 mm and males 3–3.5 mm in body length. The is black with radiating white lines, less iridescent than the . The opisthosoma is highly iridescent with two parallel white transverse lines across the portion and three dots arranged in a line along the . Legs I and II have black ; legs III and IV have dark brown femora.

Habitat

Ground-dwelling found at ground level across diverse , with marked preference for sandy substrates. Favored microhabitats include scattered stones or small stone beds. Recorded from sandy heaths, chalk downlands, dunes, derelict land, saltmarsh, sphagnum-filled dune slacks, and mossy areas in broad-leaved woodland. Warm, sunny, stony, bare, dry sites are preferred, though the species tolerates some vegetated and moist conditions.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. In Europe: widespread including Ireland and Iceland; frequent and well-recorded in Great Britain, Denmark, and Czech Republic. Asian records include Russia (European to Far East), Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Georgia, and potentially Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia. North American presence in USA and Canada.

Seasonality

recorded from early February to late November, with potential year-round occurrence. Peak activity from late spring through mid-summer.

Life Cycle

Females deposit within a stiff, rimmed pot-shaped egg sac. The female does not guard the sac continuously but returns frequently to check on it.

Behavior

Exhibits myrmecomorphy: quivers front legs to mimic , likely as defensive mimicry to avoid by larger spiders that avoid ants. Associates with ants but does not hunt them.

Ecological Role

Ground-dwelling in open, sandy . mimicry suggests a defensive role in predator avoidance, potentially reducing pressure from ant-averse predators.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Micaria speciesShare -mimicking and ground-dwelling habits; distinguished by specific abdominal pattern and leg coloration of M. pulicaria
  • Ants (Formicidae)Mimicked in appearance and ; distinguished by eight legs, two body segments, and silk-producing ability

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Sources and further reading