Tigrosa annexa

Distinguished from congeners Tigrosa helluo and Tigrosa georgicola by the presence of two white dashes behind the posterior median eyes. The cephalothorax bears two distinct dark brown to black bars, often flanked by lighter yellowish-gray lines on each side. Males (21.3–32.1 mm) are substantially larger than females (16.5–20.0 mm), a notable sexual size dimorphism.

Most abundant in tropical hardwood hammock forests with xeric or limestone soil, as documented in Everglades National Park. Prefers grass substrates over sand, which provides better camouflage.

Eastern North America: Texas east to Florida, and north to Ohio.

Feeds on small invertebrates including may beetles (Scarabaeidae) and mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae).

Females carry egg sacs suspended from spinnerets during the pre-emergence stage. Spiderlings emerge after 4–6 weeks when the female tears open the egg sac. Offspring remain on the mother's back for 1–2 weeks before dispersing. Females produce small numbers of relatively large offspring; body mass correlates with both clutch mass and offspring number.

Females engage in cannibalism after copulating. Males exhibit courtship behaviors in response to female silk pheromones.

Predator of soil-dwelling insects. Preyed upon by larger spiders and spider wasps (Pompilidae).

• Tigrosa helluoLacks the two white dashes behind the posterior median eyes present in T. annexa.
• Tigrosa georgicolaLacks the two white dashes behind the posterior median eyes present in T. annexa.

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