Zodarion italien
Zodarion italicum
Zodarion italicum is a European ant-eating spider in the family Zodariidae. Like the closely related Z.
15
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodarion_italicum
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Zodariidae
Genus
Zodarion
Zodarion italien belongs to the family Zodariidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
Zodarion italicum is a European ant-eating spider in the family Zodariidae. Like the closely related Z. hamatum, it is nocturnal and captures various ant species. Z. italicum seems to be specialized in Formicinae ants. Both species are generalized mimics of orange-dark brown ants, such as Lasius emarginatus. Body length of males is 1.6–2.9 mm (0.1–0.1 in) and of females 2.1–4.3 mm (0.1–0.2 in).
Zodarion italicum faces severe threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization and agricultural expansion across its Mediterranean range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and limited distribution make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits Mediterranean scrubland, rocky outcrops, and dry grasslands with sparse vegetation. It typically occurs in areas with stone walls, rock crevices, and semi-arid environments characteristic of the Mediterranean basin.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Zodarion italicum faces severe threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization and agricultural expansion across its Mediterranean range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and limited distribution make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Agricultural intensification and land conversion
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat loss from urban development
Climate change impacts on Mediterranean ecosystems
Pesticide use affecting prey availability
Found in 15 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Zodarion italien (Zodarion italicum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/zodarion-italien