Araneus detrimentosus
This record describes Araneus detrimentosus (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Typical fresh female: Male Abdomen can sometimes be white or white with brown marks. It can looks very similar to A. thaddeus but the only area it appears they overlap is southern Arizona.
Identification notes
Typical fresh female: Male
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Florida panhandle west to California and south into Mexico
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araneus detrimentosus. 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 detrimentosus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Araneus detrimentosus
What is Araneus detrimentosus?
Araneus detrimentosus is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Araneus detrimentosus?
Female 5.3 mm, male 3.8 mm.
How do you identify Araneus detrimentosus?
Typical fresh female: Male
Where is Araneus detrimentosus found?
Range: Florida panhandle west to California and south into Mexico