Hapalopus formosus – Pumpkin patch tarantula

Hapalopus formosus has a dark, almost black body and legs and a distinctive abdomen with orange or golden spots in a clear pattern. The carapace often shows a golden sheen. The pattern appears early in juveniles, which makes them attractive from the first moults.

Spiders sold as the “small” form usually reach about 6–8 cm in leg span, the “large” form up to about 10 cm. Males are slimmer, have longer legs and clear palpal bulbs after the final moult.

Ausserer described the genus Hapalopus in 1875 from a single adult male from Colombia. The World Spider Catalog lists the range as Colombia. In a 2024 revision, Sherwood and co-authors redefined the genus based on the holotype and considered an old Venezuelan record of this species to be a probable misidentification.

In the hobby the “pumpkin patch” circulates under several labels: Hapalopus formosus, Hapalopus sp. Colombia “small” and Hapalopus sp. Colombia “large”. Not every breeding line can be assigned to H. formosus with certainty. When buying, ask which form is offered and do not cross spiders from different lines.

An adult female needs an enclosure with a floor of about 20 × 20 cm or 25 × 20 cm. The species likes to dig shallow burrows and web their entrances, so use 6–10 cm of substrate. A piece of cork or a half-tube pressed into the substrate makes it easier to start digging.

Hapalopus formosus readily covers the area around its hide and the substrate surface with silk. Keep decor to a few anchor points and place the water dish where it is easy to refill.

The species does well at room temperature, 22–27°C. The lower layer of substrate should stay slightly moist, while the surface may dry out. Watering part of the substrate along one edge every few days and keeping a water dish is enough.

As with most small tarantulas, stable conditions and airflow matter more than high humidity. Permanently wet substrate without ventilation leads to mould.

Juveniles take small crickets, roaches or cut mealworms every 3–5 days, adults once a week. It has a strong feeding response and usually grabs prey at the entrance of its hide. Remove leftovers with tongs.

Hapalopus formosus grows fast and can mature in about 1–1.5 years. Females produce egg sacs with many spiderlings, which is why the species is widely available. When breeding, pair spiders of the same hobby form.

This is a fast, skittish spider that usually retreats to its hide when disturbed. It may kick urticating hairs or take a threat posture, especially when surprised outside its burrow. Bites are rare.

The species is not suitable for handling. Because of its speed, do maintenance with tongs, keep a catch cup ready and open the enclosure calmly.