Zygiella atrica

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Zygiella atrica is a species of araneomorphic spider in the Phonognathidae family, characterized by its distinctive appearance and habits.

Distribution
This species can be found across Europe, with notable sightings in France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, southern Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, and Andorra. In addition to its native range, Zygiella atrica has been introduced to North America in Sakhaline, Russia.

Habitat
Zygiella atrica is often found outside buildings, particularly in door and window openings, as well as in natural environments such as shrubs, juniper, small pine trees, meadows, and shorelines. The species prefers areas with minimal human disturbance, where it can build its characteristic orb web.

Description
Males of Zygiella atrica measure approximately 10-12 millimeters in body length, while females reach lengths of around 14-16 millimeters. The anterior part of the cephalothorax is pale brownish yellow, with a distinct contour line and brown median stripe. The abdomen is robust, featuring a large greyish-white area at the back, wavy black edges, and a rusty brown spot on both sides.

The legs are brownish yellow, with narrow brown stripes. Notably, males possess a light yellowish-brown shell, darker head, and distinctive fovea. Chelicerae are reddish-brown with black hooks at the base, while the sternum is yellowish-brown with a darker edge. A pointed protruding part is present on the hip of leg IV.

Female Zygiella atrica exhibit distinct coloration, characterized by a greyish abdomen with whitish dots and a pale reddish hue on the back. The palps are light reddish-brown, longer than the shell, and feature dense dorsal hairs on the tibia. A median apophysis is present, with two distal points, while the embolus is very thin.

Behavior
Zygiella atrica builds characteristic orb webs using its laba-laba (spider silk) threads, which are often absent in younger spiders. The species' behavior involves creating a protective web around its burrow or sheltered area, with two sectors that