Scytodidae Scytodes

Scytodes venusta (Thorell, 1890)

Broad-banded Spitting Spider

The juvenile specimen as pictured below is provisionally identified as S. venusta, but whether this species occurs in Singapore can be confirmed only when mature specimens are collected. The name "venusta" means pleasing or lovely, and presumably refers to the rather striking and contrasting colour pattern of the type specimen (a female). Such a pattern is evident in the juvenile pictured here: two broad black bands arranged lengthwise and forming a lyre-like pattern on the carapace. The abdomen has two or three dark zig-zag transverse bands. The leg joints are banded in black.