About Eresus kollari Rossi, 1846
Like most velvet spiders, the body of Eresus kollari (the ladybird spider) is somewhat similar in shape to the bodies of species in the jumping spider family. Males have a striking high-contrast black and orange-red color pattern, while females are entirely black. As suggested by the species's common name, the opisthosoma has a velvety appearance. Ladybird spiders live in warm regions with low, loose-growing vegetation. They are most commonly found in grasslands, but have also been recorded in dry, open forests. The species occurs across most of Europe, and is absent from northern Europe.
