The Gold-faced Velvet Spider (Eresus moravicus) is a species of ladybird spider in the family 'Eresidae, commonly known as velvet spiders. Native to Central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, it is the largest Eresus species in Central Europe. Males have a black head and front legs, bright red/orange hind legs, and a vibrant red abdomen accented by pairs of white-bordered black spots. Females, significantly larger than males, are completely purplish-black, but uniquely identified by a distinctive patch of bright orange hairs on the front of their head (prosoma).
Contributor: Ian Henderson