Aculepeira packardi
This record describes Aculepeira packardi (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Female This species was generally found in a retreat next to the web in daylight hours while carbonarioides was more often found at the center of the web during the day.
Identification notes
Female
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Webs found in alpine meadows.
Geographic Range
Yukon Territory to Labrador, south the Mexico and to northern Pennsylvania. AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MB, MT, NF, NM, NT, NV, OR, PA, UT, WA, WY, YT
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aculepeira packardi (Thorell, 1875)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Aculepeira packardi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Aculepeira packardi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Aculepeira packardi
What is Aculepeira packardi?
Aculepeira packardi is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Aculepeira packardi?
Female
Where is Aculepeira packardi found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Webs found in alpine meadows. |
| Range | Yukon Territory to Labrador, south the Mexico and to northern Pennsylvania. AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MB, MT, NF, NM, NT, NV, OR, PA, UT, WA, WY, YT |