Copuetta lacustris
Copuetta lacustris is a species of spider in the family Corinnidae. It is widely distributed in Central, East, and Southern Africa and is commonly known as the African tree lycosiform sac spider.
Distribution
Copuetta lacustris occurs in Central, East, and Southern Africa, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.In South Africa, it is found in all nine provinces at altitudes ranging from 4 to 1,676 m above sea level.
The species has been recorded from numerous locations across South Africa, including Karoo National Park, Free State National Botanical Gardens, Kruger National Park, and Lowveld National Botanical Gardens.
Habitat and ecology
Copuetta lacustris is a free-living spider found from ground level to the tree canopy in a wide range of habitats. The species inhabits Grassland, Nama Karoo, Forest, Fynbos, and Savanna biomes.The species is frequently collected in urban areas and is often seen inside houses at night, especially during spring.
Egg sacs are approximately 8 mm in diameter and are constructed under bark in natural habitats and under window sills, door frames, and wooden structures in and around houses. It has also been collected from pistachio orchards, maize fields, and vineyards.