Availability, or rather lack of availability of the underrated spider, Dysdera crocata

[Wayfarin]

Our lowest temperature last winter was -21F, so maybe there are other factors preventing them from being common? It's worth noting, I see them in around my workplace which is a highly disturbed park environment with many other invasive species, I have not seen any in more natural, undisturbed areas.

It was the first large bin I ever made, so it definitely wasn't ideal, but it did have a large log and many pieces of bark. If shelter was the issue then it must not have had enough, or it could be that it was a male trying to mate with an already fertilized female.

As for your sentiment on backyard wildlife disappearing, I couldn't agree more. Colorado is a veritable arthropod desert, but I spent several years in Indiana as a kid. What I wouldn't give to see a big Dolomedes or Narceus americanus in my backyard again!

Wow, that's pretty cold. I suppose if they can live there, then they could live here, too.
The "disturbed area" theory is a very interesting one. Because they are closely associated with humans to disperse them (perhaps in firewood and bricks) it could be that they are more common in suburban areas than in the wilderness.
I feel like such an idiot for not thinking of this, but since woodlouse spiders are sometimes seen indoors, they could be taking shelter from the lowest temperatures in urban basements. That would explain why they are absent from completely wild areas in your location.

The male/female theory is also a good theory. If the female was already pregnant, or perhaps had already had spiderlings, or maybe just wasn't interested in mating, then the male may have made the mistake of presenting himself to her. Or maybe they did mate, and she was eating him for that reason?

I'm a little sad about the Connecticut birds, but I'm overwhelmed with excitement because of the abundance of river otters here! They are literally one of my favorite animals, and though they do live in Connecticut, I've never seen one there. They are ABUNDANT here, something I didn't think was really even possible. We saw a river otter only a couple of miles from our house only shortly after moving here!

 

[Gster]

I've been finding them in my basement and out side all over my house in wood chips,even find them under the garbage can,and I'm in northern Illinois north of Chicago..very interesting spiders for me ,I've learn alot from watching them..and so yeah if you don't have alot of rollie collie bugs then you won't have no spiders also

I do have a bunch of these guys, 2 of my females are pregnant and they are now bye there self's waiting for the youngsters to emerge

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I do have a bunch of these guys, 2 of my females are pregnant and they are now bye there self's waiting for the youngsters to emerge

Wow get some pictures soon. Make your own thread can’t wait too see it . I set one free that got stuck in the basement. I would have kept it but I don’t have enough small feeders.

 

[Gster]

Wow get some pictures soon. Make your own thread can’t wait too see it . I set one free that got stuck in the basement. I would have kept it but I don’t have enough small feeders.

Here is my large female, she's been burrowed in the substrate now for a week she barley moves and there plenty of good for her,and no other spiders to bother her,I separated her from the others ,this was just one picture, when I get back home from vacation I'll take some more and be sure to show!!!!