''Metasolpuga'' is a genus of

solifuge Solifugae is an order of arachnids known variously as solifuges, sun spiders, camel spiders, and wind scorpions. The order includes more than 1,000 described species in about 147 genera. Despite the common names, they are neither true spiders (or ...

or sun spider. The monotypic genus contains the species ''Metasolpuga picta'' which is native to

Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

. It is one of several large, diurnal solifuge species that occur in the arid regions of southern Africa. Its habitat is interdune valleys of the Namib Desert. They are active when ground surface temperatures are between 40 and 61 °C. In experimental conditions they become lethargic at 20 ± 1 °C, and at 5 to 10 °C they become completely torpid. During mid-winter it is believed to become lethargic in burrows for days or weeks. Egg depositing has been recorded during early spring and late summer. Data suggests that male ''M. picta'' are short-lived and die after the mating season due to high energy demands and low food intake.

References

Solifugae genera Monotypic arachnid genera {{Solifugae-stub