Platyoides walteri is a species of spider in the family Trochanteriidae. It is the most common and widespread scorpion spider in southern Africa, found in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa, and has been introduced to Australia.[2]
| Walter's Common Scorpion Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| from Durban | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Trochanteriidae |
| Genus: | Platyoides |
| Species: | P. walteri |
| Binomial name | |
| Platyoides walteri (Karsch, 1887)[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Distribution
editPlatyoides walteri has the widest distribution of any Platyoides species. In South Africa, it is found in all nine provinces at elevations ranging from 17 to 1,762 m above sea level. The species was originally described from Botshabelo in the Free State.[3]
Habitat
editThe species inhabits multiple biomes including Forest, Grassland, Nama Karoo, Savanna, and Thicket. It has also been recorded from commercial avocado orchards and pine plantations. Unlike other scorpion spiders that are typically found under bark or rocks, P. walteri is commonly found around human habitations, particularly under potted plants on verandahs. At Sabie State Forest, specimens were collected from pine trees using paper traps.[3]
Description
editBoth males and females of Platyoides walteri are known to science. The carapace and chelicerae are brown, while the sternum and three basal leg segments are orange-yellow. The sternum has a deep blackish-red border, and the remaining leg segments are more or less darkened. The opisthosoma is blackened above, sometimes with a longitudinal row of yellowish areas on each side of the median line, while the underside is paler and yellowish to whitish.[3]
Ecology
editPlatyoides walteri is synanthropic, frequently associated with human habitations. It is a free-living wanderer with a flattened body adapted for life in narrow crevices. The species shows remarkable adaptability to various environments and has successfully established introduced populations in Australia.[3]
Conservation
editThe species is listed as Least Concern due to its extremely wide geographical range and stable populations. In South Africa, it is protected in more than ten protected areas across all provinces.[3]
References
edit- ↑ Karsch, F. (1887). "Ueber die geographische Verbreitung der Araneidengattung Hemicloea Thorell". Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift. 30: 151–152.
- ↑ "Platyoides walteri (Karsch, 1887)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Trochanteriidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp. 1–18. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6659336.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.