Eresus ruficapillus – Italian Ladybird Spider | Rare Old World Velvet Spider | Live Arrival Guarantee

Eresus ruficapillus — Italian Ladybird Spider | Italian Velvet Spider

Size, life stage & quantity options

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• Size / stock option: 1/8-1/4"

Measurements are reproduced as listed in the ordering options. If you need a specific body length or leg span, please confirm the measurement with us before ordering.

For a quantity, sex, or life stage not specified in your chosen option, contact Isopod King before purchasing.

Meet Eresus ruficapillus, the Italian Ladybird Spider — one of Europe's most visually striking arachnids and a true gem of the Old World spider hobby. Males display a brilliant red-orange abdomen dotted with bold black spots, mimicking the iconic ladybird beetle pattern in a way that stops people dead in their tracks. Endemic to Italy and surrounding Mediterranean regions, this species is exceptionally rare in captivity and represents a genuine collector's opportunity.

Why Collectors Love This Species

• Iconic ladybird pattern — vivid red-orange abdomen with black spots; one of the most recognizable and photogenic spiders in the hobby
• Extreme rarity — seldom available in the US market; a true shelf piece for serious collectors
• Calm disposition — slow-moving and docile, ideal for display enclosures and observation
• Unique silk architecture — constructs elaborate funnel retreats with trip-wire silk radiating outward

Care Overview

• Origin: Old World — Italy and Mediterranean Europe
• Enclosure: Terrestrial setup with dry, sandy substrate and cork bark or rock hide
• Temperature: 72–82°F
• Humidity: Low; arid to semi-arid conditions
• Diet: Appropriately sized crickets, roaches, or mealworms

Live Arrival Guarantee

Every specimen ships with our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the unlikely event of a DOA, photo and video documentation of the unopened or just-opened package is required to process a claim. Contact us immediately upon receipt.

Report a live-arrival problem within one hour of carrier-recorded delivery or pickup. Email support@isopodking.com with your order number, clear photos of the affected animals and all packaging, and a brief description. The contact form does not accept photo attachments. Keep the animals, products, and packaging until the claim is resolved. Send any video documentation required by this listing to the same email address. Coverage and resolutions follow our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.