Large-eyed Mini Wolf Spider

Minicosa species are very small wolf spiders, less than 2.5 mm in total length, with males smaller than females. The carapace is yellow to pale brown mottled with dark brown to black stripes radiating from the fovea. The sides have dark lateral margins and pale yellow continuous lateral bands. The ocular area occupies almost half of the carapace and has striking black spots around the posterior eyes. The eye pattern is characteristic with a strongly procurved front row. The posterior eyes are very large in proportion to the tiny cephalothorax, and the posterior lateral eyes are situated almost halfway down the cephalothorax. The sternum is completely pale yellow. The abdomen dorsum is pale yellow with a series of transverse dark stripes and spots. The female abdomen is ventro-apically concave to accommodate the proportionally very large egg cocoon. The venter is completely pale yellow. Spinnerets are yellow. The legs are mainly pale yellow with only a few dark spots.

Minicosa neptuna is found in Mozambique and South Africa. In South Africa, it is known from the provinces KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Western Cape at altitudes ranging from 5 to 1341 m.

Minicosa neptuna inhabits the Fynbos, Grassland, and Savanna biomes. The species appears to have been most often found in leaf litter. These are agile ground runners. Minicosa neptuna is active and reproduces only during a short period of the year, from March until June.