Rugathodes bellicosus

Rugathodes bellicosus is a small theridiid spider that occurs in Europe, including Russia. It is usually found on high ground, but also occurs on coasts. They live under large stones.

In Czechoslovakia, spiders at low altitude are only found in small caves. These specimens are not very pigmented. Other specimens that live in higher elevations live more in the open and are generally darker in color. The variation seems to be genetic rather than environmentally induced.

Name
The species name is derived from Latin bellicosus "bellicose".