What is the primary, dominant prey item forming the diet of Dysdera crocata?
Answer
Woodlice
The Woodlouse Spider, or *Dysdera crocata*, exhibits a highly specialized diet that centers almost entirely around woodlice. These crustaceans, also known as pill bugs or sow bugs, constitute the vast majority of the spider's intake. This singular focus is so defining that the spider's common name directly reflects this preference. Because woodlice thrive in damp, dark environments like under logs and leaf litter, the spider's habitat selection is intrinsically linked to the availability of this specific food source. While they are known to consume secondary items if necessary, woodlice represent the core dietary component that drives their ecological behavior.
Related Questions
What is the primary, dominant prey item forming the diet of Dysdera crocata?What is the scientific name for the Woodlouse Spider mentioned in the text?To what taxonomic order do the preferred prey, woodlice, belong?What color is frequently described for the cephalothorax of the Woodlouse Spider?How is the immediate effect of a D. crocata bite typically compared in terms of human impact?Does the Woodlouse Spider rely on traditional large capture webs for capturing prey?What environmental requirement for woodlice dictates the typical habitat choice of Dysdera crocata?What is the primary function of the prominent, reddish-orange chelicerae of D. crocata?Which category of creature is consumed only opportunistically by Dysdera crocata?Why might a Woodlouse Spider be observed inside a building during dry outdoor conditions?