Dysdera crocata

Woodlouse Spider

Photo Credits: Peter J. DeVries Madison, Wisconsin - This male specimen was found in a Madison basement at night.

Identification:
This spider usually can be distinguished from others in Wisconsin by its smooth carmel colored body, contrasting cream abdomen, and large fangs.

Habitat:
Largely nocturnal, this species occasionally can be seen during the day. I have found them wandering on the lower levels of buildings and in the basements of homes.

Behavior:
The large fangs of this species allow it to pierce the protective exoskeletons of pill bugs and other arthropods. While most other household spiders ignore pill bugs, this spider readily attacks them.

References

Wikipedia Dysdera crocata

The World Spider Catalog, Version 6.5
American Museum of Natural History
by Norman I. Platnick
Edited by Peter Merrett, H. Don Cameron

Nearctic Spiders Database
David Shorthouse

Spiders of North America: an identification manual
Edited by Darrell Ubick, Pierre Paquin, Paula E. Cushing, and Vince Roth

The American Arachnological Society

The International Society of Arachnology

Arachnology Home Page