| Congo Igloo spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Diores |
| Species: | D. triarmatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Diores triarmatus Lessert, 1929 [1] | |
Diores triarmatus is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It occurs in Africa and is commonly known as the Congo Igloo spider. [3]
Diores triarmatus is found in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Zambia. [2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from three provinces: Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. [3]
The species inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 275 to 1124 m above sea level. [3]
Males of Diores triarmatus have a total length of 4.87 mm, while females are larger at 5.62 mm. The carapace, chelicerae, and legs are yellowish-orange, with the sternum being yellow. Males have a dark sepia scutum on the opisthosoma. Females have similar carapace coloration but lack the scutum, instead having a pale dorsal pattern on a dark background. The sides are sepia with an oblique pale patch, and the venter is pale. [4]
Diores triarmatus are free-living ground-dwellers that construct igloo-shaped retreats with small stones, characteristic behavior of the genus Diores . [3]
The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide range across Africa. It is protected in Tswaing Nature Reserve, Ben Lavin Nature Reserve, and Kruger National Park. [3]
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.