Florentine spider

The Florentine spider (Segestria florentina) belongs to the family Segestriidae within the order Araneae. Recognized as one of the largest spiders in Europe, it is identifiable by its dark, cylindrical body and iridescent green chelicerae, which serve as its primary distinctive feature.

While primarily a predator, the species is found in orchards and vineyards where it utilizes tree crevices and bark to build its tube-like retreats. Its presence is often more of a management concern than a direct threat to crop productivity, though it can influence the local orchard environment.

The life cycle of this species is relatively slow, often spanning several years. Females are highly protective of their egg sacs, keeping them within their web retreats, which are often constructed in the forks of branches or deep fissures of tree trunks, showing a preference for stable, undisturbed environments.

The damage caused is indirect but significant in intensive orchards. Dense webbing can wrap around buds or fruit-bearing shoots, hindering their growth and trapping moisture. Such conditions promote the growth of fungal infections and prevent proper ventilation of the plant foliage, leading to localized tissue damage.

Management practices focus on reducing favorable nesting habitats. Essential steps include:

• maintaining clear trunks by removing loose, old bark;
• conducting regular pruning to minimize dense branch tangles;
• ensuring adequate airflow within the tree canopy;
• physically removing nests when found in critical growing zones.