Scytodes lycosella
Scytodes lycosella is a species of spider in the family Scytodidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Distribution
Scytodes lycosella is found only in KwaZulu-Natal Province, where it is known from Rietvlei in the Umvoti district.Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits the Savanna biome at an altitude of 1450 m above sea level. It is a wandering spider collected from under stones and dark places on the soil surface.Adult females were last sampled in 1899, and no males have been collected.
Description
Scytodes lycosella females have a distinctive carapace pattern with only three black stripes above. The median stripe is abbreviated behind, reaching only to the middle of the carapace. The outer stripes are very broad, nearly meeting posteriorly, each containing an oval yellow spot just before the middle of the carapace. The median yellow area just behind the median black stripe is broad and spindle-shaped. The sides of the carapace show black reticulation and several tiers of yellow areas.The legs are very strongly banded, with the femora displaying three strong black bands. The anterior pair of legs are also spotted with black near the apex.