Captive Bred .125" Feeding on Drosophila Melanogaster fruit flies
Stegodyphus dufouri is a species of velvet spider (family Eresidae) native to arid and semi-arid regions of the western Mediterranean basin. Its distribution extends across southern Spain, Portugal, and parts of North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Within this range, the species favors warm, dry habitats such as scrublands, sandy plains, and steppe-like environments that provide both open exposure and low vegetation suitable for web anchorage.
These spiders are typically found in microhabitats with sparse shrubs, dry grasses, or rocky outcrops where they can construct their distinctive retreat webs. The silken retreats are usually tubular and built within crevices, beneath stones, or among thorny bushes—locations that offer shelter from predators and extreme heat. The web itself is dense and felt-like, extending into a small capture area that traps wandering insects. S. dufouri tends to avoid dense forests and humid environments, relying instead on sun-exposed ground with moderate to high temperatures.
Seasonal variation influences their activity: populations are most visible during spring and early summer when adults emerge for mating. Their patchy distribution reflects both habitat specificity and limited dispersal ability, as females often remain near natal sites, contributing to localized population structures across the Mediterranean landscape.
