Arachnids

Nightlife at Mavronero As the sun sets over Mavronero Farm, a different community of wildlife begins to emerge. While birds settle into the trees and daytime insects disappear, nocturnal predators quietly leave their hiding places. During a recent evening observation, we encountered a small yellow scorpion, one of the species commonly found throughout the dry … Read more

Among the tomato plants growing on the river terrace at Mavronero, an impressive predator quietly waits for its next meal. The Lobed Argiope (Argiope lobata) is one of the most distinctive orb-weaving spiders found across the Mediterranean. Although its unusual appearance may seem intimidating, it is completely harmless to humans and plays an essential role … Read more

A remarkable web builder in the Mediterranean landscape During recent observations at Mavronero, a wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) was recorded among the farm’s natural vegetation. This striking species is easily recognised by its distinctive yellow and black striped abdomen and the unusual zigzag structure, known as a stabilimentum, that appears in the centre of its … Read more

The observation of a wolf spider (Lycosa praegrandis) during aubergine planting at Mavronero highlights the presence of important predatory species within Mediterranean agricultural ecosystems. Wolf spiders belong to the family Lycosidae, a group of ground-dwelling hunters found throughout Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Unlike many spiders, wolf spiders do not rely on webs … Read more

The European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is one of the most recognizable spider species found throughout Mediterranean ecosystems. Although often associated with its medically significant venom, this species forms a natural part of the invertebrate communities that develop within agricultural and semi-natural landscapes across Cyprus. At Mavronero, a probable European black widow was observed within … Read more