Micromat greenish: small green spider
The colors of spiders are amazing. Some have a bright body, and there are individuals that disguise themselves as the environment. Such is the greenish micromata, grass spider, the only representative of sparassids in Russia.
Content
What does a micromat spider look like?
Description of the micromat spider greenish
Name: Micromat greenish
Latin: Micrommata virescensClass: Arachnida - Arachnida
Squad: Spiders - Araneae
Family: Sarasids - Sparassidae
 | Habitats: | grass and between trees |
 | Dangerous for: | small insects |
 | Attitude towards people: | not dangerous |
The micromat spider, also known as a grass spider, is small in size, females grow about 15 mm and males up to 10 mm. The shade corresponds to the name, it is bright green, but the males have a yellowish spot on the abdomen with a red stripe.
Small compact spiders are very mobile. This is due to the peculiarities of hunting, they do not weave a web, but attack the victim in the process of hunting. Even if the spider stumbles or jumps on a too soft sheet, it hangs on the cobweb and deftly jumps high to another place.
Distribution and habitation
These arachnids heat-loving, they can even sunbathe for a long time in the sun. They may sit proudly on leaves or ears of corn, as if dozing, but in fact they are always ready. You can meet a micromat:
- in the thickets of grass;
- in sunny meadows;
- fringes of trees;
- on the lawns.
The habitat of this species of spider is quite extensive. In addition to the central stripe of the micromat, greenish is found in the Caucasus, China, and even partially in Siberia.
Hunting and eating a spider
A small spider is very brave, easily attacks animals larger than itself. For hunting, the micromat chooses a secluded place for itself on a thin leaf or twig, sits down with its head down and rests on its hind legs.
Rejected green spider on the hunt.
The thread of the micromat fixes on the plant so that the jump is smoothly calculated.
When a potential prey is detected, the arthropod repels and makes a jump. The insect falls into the tenacious legs of the spider, receives a fatal bite several times. If the future food resists, the spider may fall along with it, but due to the cobweb, it will not lose its place and keep the prey. Micromata feeds on:
- flies;
- crickets;
- spiders;
- cockroaches;
- bedbugs;
- mosquitoes.
Lifestyle features
The animal is active and dynamic. Micromata is a solitary predator, prone to cannibalism. She does not weave a web for life or hunting, but only for reproduction.
After a productive hunt and a hearty meal, the little spider calms down and sunbathes for a long time in the sun. It is believed that after eating their relatives, the spider's appetite improves.
Reproduction
Single micromats meet with other representatives of the species only for the reason of reproduction.
Green micromat.
The male waits for the female, bites her painfully and holds her so that she does not run away. Mating takes place for several hours, then the male runs away.
After a while, the female begins to prepare a cocoon for herself, in which she will lay her eggs. Until the moment of offspring, the female guards the cocoon. But when the first living creature chooses outside, the female moves away, leaving the cubs to fend for themselves.
The micromat has no family ties. Even representatives of the same offspring can eat each other.
Population and natural enemies
The micromat is absolutely not dangerous to people. It is so small that even when attacking a person, in case of immediate danger, it will not bite through the skin.
Small green micromat spiders are common, despite the fact that they are hardly noticeable. Good camouflage is protection against natural enemies, which are:
- bears;
- wasps-riders;
- hedgehogs;
- spiders.
These unusual and cute agile spiders are often grown in terrariums. They are interesting to watch. For cultivation simple rules must be followed.
Conclusion
The green micromat spider is cute, agile and active. It easily adapts to growing conditions at home, but will run away at the slightest gap.
In nature, these spiders are well camouflaged and love to sunbathe. After a fruitful hunt, they calmly rest on leaves and ears.
