About Heriaeus hirtus (Latreille, 1819)
Heriaeus hirtus (Latreille, 1819) males reach a body length of 3.5–5.5 millimetres (0.14–0.22 in), while females reach 8–11 millimetres (0.31–0.43 in). These spiders are typically pale green, with a lighter green or pale yellow, vaguely triangular abdomen that is longer than it is wide. The ventral side of the abdomen is green with rows of black dots. The legs are also green. The body and legs are covered with long white bristles. The cephalothorax is split lengthwise by a distinct median line, and usually has three clear longitudinal and three clear transverse lines. Males have a slimmer abdomen, which usually has a reddish marking. Females are pale green, with long hairs and spines. The female external genital structure, the epigyne, is quite pale green, with an almost circular tongue. The anterior claws have three teeth. This species is quite similar to Heriaeus melloteei and Heriaeus graminicola. This species occurs across most of Southern Europe. These spiders live in sunny environments, in bushes and stony woodlands, especially on hairy plants, and on evergreen trees and shrubs.
