Dwarf Spider - Walckenaeria acuminata ♂

Distribution and habitat

This species is generally distributed throughout central Europe and can be found on forest floors, as well as in open countryside.
It is mainly found in winter, sometimes even on the covering of snow.

Way of life and characteristic features

The male of this dwarf spider is approx. 3 mm in size and has an extremely bizarre head extension.
All eight eyes are on a stalk that projects upwards, four in the middle and four at the end of the stalk. There is little research to tell us why this is. Looking down from above must have some evolutionary advantage or other.
Walckenaeria acuminata probably feeds on springtails, mosquitoes and small flies.