This small, pale egg sac is a distinctive sign of Agroeca brunnea, a rather discreet ground-living spider from the family Liocranidae.
The species is widely distributed across Europe and can be found in a variety of habitats—both moist and dry—including forests, wetlands, and meadows. Adults are most commonly seen from May to July, hunting at ground level among leaf litter and low vegetation. Though the spider itself is rarely noticed, its uniquely shaped egg sac—often suspended just above the ground or tucked beneath leaves—is easier to spot and serves as a tell-tale sign of its presence.
In several European languages, the spider has earned poetic names inspired by the shape of its egg sac: in German, Feenlämpchenspinne ("fairy-lamp spider"); in Dutch, lantaarnspin ("lantern spider"); and in Swedish, skogslyktspindel, or "forest lantern spider". Though it lacks an established English name, “fairy-lamp spider” has been suggested—and it certainly fits.
Jätteberget nature reserve in Närke, Sweden May 25, 2025).
