Alopecosa aculeata
This record describes Alopecosa aculeata (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Voucher specimens: South Dakota: Alberta: epigyne epigyne with some setae removed to reveal more structure |
| Male | Voucher specimens: Alberta: Newfoundland: left palp, retrolateral view left palp, distal view - showing the mesally directed tooth (Dondale) on the median apophysis |
Classification
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females often build shallow retreats under leaf litter and other vegetation. This one was in a shallow depression, with an egg sac, under a piece of moss:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Clerck, 1758)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Alopecosa aculeata. 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 Alopecosa aculeata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Sloan; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Alopecosa aculeata
What is Alopecosa aculeata?
Alopecosa aculeata is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Alopecosa aculeata?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Voucher specimens: South Dakota: Alberta: epigyne epigyne with some setae removed to reveal more structure |
| Male | Voucher specimens: Alberta: Newfoundland: left palp, retrolateral view left palp, distal view - showing the mesally directed tooth (Dondale) on the median apophysis |
What is the life cycle of a Alopecosa aculeata?
Females often build shallow retreats under leaf litter and other vegetation. This one was in a shallow depression, with an egg sac, under a piece of moss: