Antistea elegans
This record describes Antistea elegans (species). Recorded family: Hahniidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Length 2.5 to 4 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown to reddish yellow, with dark spots. Opisthosoma dark grey-brown with bright areas. Identification of this species Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia. Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press. https://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Antistea+elegans No additional images available for this species.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In damp places, near water.
Seasonal Activity
Spring-Autumn.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in Britain.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Antistea elegans. 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 Antistea elegans (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Antistea elegans
What is Antistea elegans?
Antistea elegans is a species in the family Hahniidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Antistea elegans?
2.5 to 4 mm. Prosoma yellow-brown to reddish yellow, with dark spots. Opisthosoma dark grey-brown with bright areas.
Where is Antistea elegans found?
Habitat: In damp places, near water.
When is Antistea elegans active?
Antistea elegans: seasonal activity - Spring-Autumn..