Box spider (Crossopriza lyoni): Scientific Classification, Habit and Habitat, Food Habit, Identifying Characters

Box spider (Crossopriza lyoni): Scientific Classification, Habit and Habitat, Food Habit, Identifying Characters

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Subphylum:   Chelicerata

Class:             Arachnida

Order:             Araneae

Family:           Pholcidae

Genus:           Crossopriza

Species:         lyoni

Habit and Habitat:

• Found in human habitations. Commonly known as cellar spider.
• They build irregular webs and commonly seen in corners of ceiling.
• On disturbance the spider vibrates its web rapidly.

Food Habit: Prey of Crossopriza lyoni chiefly insects both in flying and jumping habits (Planthoppers, Mosquito, Flies, Beetles, etc). Crossopriza web is a natural insect trap which catches much more prey than a spider can eat.  Sometimes it is also observed that Crossopriza lyoni was feeding on other spider species(House spider, Wolf spiders, Jumping spiders, etc).

Identifying Characters:

1. Size: Female 5-7 mm, Male 3-5 mm.
2. Greyish white cephalothorax with a mid-longitudinal dark band.
3. Dorsal surface of the cephalothorax has a deep excavation.
4. Eyes six in number, present at the tipoff cephalothorax.
5. Abdomen greyish in colour with white patches.
6. Upper posterior end of abdomen has a conical projection.
7. Legs very long, covered with black spots and small hairs and with black coloured joints.

References:

· https://asbb.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/asbb_lipl_in_oid_7/portlet/level_2/Common%20Spiders%20from%20select%20PAs%20of%20Upper%20Assam.pdf