White-flecked Philodamia
The species name "hilaris" means "gay" and "cheerful" but it can also mean "showy or decorated". However, the spider is not at all showy. It is dully-coloured, seemingly blending well against a background made of tree bark or fallen logs. The brown central area of the carapace is surrounded anteriorly and laterally by a broad inverted U-shaped belt with a darker tone. The rotund abdomen is mottled with white spots and flecks with brown patches patches, as shown in the photograph below, published for the first time since it was illustrated in "Malaysian Spiders" published by Workman in 1896.
| Length | ♀ 3–4 mm; ♂ 3 mm |
| Type Locality | Singapore |
| Distribution | Singapore. |
| Habitat | Tree trunks and fallen logs in sunny, open areas. |
| Biology | It feeds on Camponotus ants. |
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Order Araneae (Spiders)
Philodamia hilaris (Original description ♀)
Philodamia hilaris (♀)
Workman, 1896 Malaysian spiders: 89, pl. 89 doi:10.5962/bhl.title.101972
* Retrieved from the World Spider Catalog.
Singapore.