Alopecosa pictilis
This record describes Alopecosa pictilis (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Emerton called it a distinct and bright-colored species: See Emerton 1919: plate 1, figures 11 & 12 HERE . Written description under Lycosa pictilis on page 4H. Also Emerton 1885: plate XLVI, figure 5 HERE . Written description under Lycosa pictilis on page 485.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Alaska to Labrador, with relict populations in the mountains of New Hampshire.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Emerton, 1885)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Alopecosa pictilis. 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 pictilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Alopecosa pictilis
What is Alopecosa pictilis?
Alopecosa pictilis is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Alopecosa pictilis?
Body length of adult males: 7-10mm Body length of adult females: 8-13mm
How do you identify Alopecosa pictilis?
Emerton called it a distinct and bright-colored species: See Emerton 1919: plate 1, figures 11 & 12 HERE . Written description under Lycosa pictilis on page 4H. Also Emerton 1885: plate XLVI, figure 5 HERE . Written description under Lycosa pictilis on page 485.
Where is Alopecosa pictilis found?
Range: Alaska to Labrador, with relict populations in the mountains of New Hampshire.