Araneus bivittatus
This record describes Araneus bivittatus (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
A. bivittatus is the only species (of the small Araneus ) that has the abdomen longer than wide, widest in the middle, with a median anterior hump and two longitudinal dorsal red or green bands on the abdomen.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Maine to Mississippi
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araneus bivittatus. 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 Araneus bivittatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Araneus bivittatus
What is Araneus bivittatus?
Araneus bivittatus is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Araneus bivittatus?
A. bivittatus is the only species (of the small Araneus ) that has the abdomen longer than wide, widest in the middle, with a median anterior hump and two longitudinal dorsal red or green bands on the abdomen.
Where is Araneus bivittatus found?
Range: Maine to Mississippi