Araneus illaudatus
This record describes Araneus illaudatus (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
It closely resembles A. gemma . Ventral view
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas west to California and north to Utah and Oregon
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: illaudatus literally means "unpraised" in Latin, but can also mean "obscure, without fame" and "unpraisable, detestable" First described in 1936 by Willis J Gertsch and Stanley B. Mulaik as Aranea illaudata Araneus pima was described in 1971, but was soon shown to be the same species.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araneus illaudatus. 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 illaudatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins , Chuck Entz , Edward Ruden
Frequently Asked Questions About Araneus illaudatus
What is Araneus illaudatus?
Araneus illaudatus is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Araneus illaudatus?
It closely resembles A. gemma . Ventral view
Where is Araneus illaudatus found?
Range: Texas west to California and north to Utah and Oregon