Araneus nordmanni
This record describes Araneus nordmanni (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Epigynum (ventral/posterior/lateral)
Identification notes
Epigynum (ventral/posterior/lateral)
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Boreal Canada south to Georgia in the Appalachians and the mountainous western U.S. to New Mexico and California. It is also known from the norther tier of U.S. States.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araneus nordmanni. 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 nordmanni (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , jsloan
Frequently Asked Questions About Araneus nordmanni
What is Araneus nordmanni?
Araneus nordmanni is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Araneus nordmanni?
Female to 13 mm, Male to 8 mm Female 7-19 mm, Male 6-10 mm
How do you identify Araneus nordmanni?
Epigynum (ventral/posterior/lateral)
Where is Araneus nordmanni found?
Range: Boreal Canada south to Georgia in the Appalachians and the mountainous western U.S. to New Mexico and California. It is also known from the norther tier of U.S. States.