Araneus juniperi
This record describes Araneus juniperi (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Juniperi differs from bivittatus by having the abdomen subspherical rather than oval, and the bands much less distinct, separated by lighter green rather than white. Palp
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araneus juniperi. 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 juniperi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Araneus juniperi
What is Araneus juniperi?
Araneus juniperi is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Araneus juniperi?
Juniperi differs from bivittatus by having the abdomen subspherical rather than oval, and the bands much less distinct, separated by lighter green rather than white. Palp
Where is Araneus juniperi found?
Range: Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas