Asagena pulcher
This record describes Asagena pulcher (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | Abdomen varies from reddish to black and can have a variable pattern of white spots. See diagrams in Gertsch, 1960 , page 34, for examples. Sometimes the white spots can be extensive enough to cover most of the abdomen in white. |
| Legs | Legs and carapace bright orange to dark brown. When present, the frontal white abdominal spot is whole and never paired as in Asagena medialis . (The frontal white spot is not to be confused with the white basal band which is the crescent of white on the front of the abdomen.) In females from Mono County, California, the abdomen may only have a median stripe and be missing all other lateral spots. See example: |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)
- Genus
- Asagena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Published records are from California and Oregon ; and the SCAN Database adds Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Asagena pulcher. 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 Asagena pulcher (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Asagena pulcher
What is Asagena pulcher?
Asagena pulcher is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Asagena pulcher?
Adult body length ranges from 4-8 millimeters in both sexes.
How do you identify Asagena pulcher?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | Abdomen varies from reddish to black and can have a variable pattern of white spots. See diagrams in Gertsch, 1960 , page 34, for examples. Sometimes the white spots can be extensive enough to cover most of the abdomen in white. |
| Legs | Legs and carapace bright orange to dark brown. When present, the frontal white abdominal spot is whole and never paired as in Asagena medialis . (The frontal white spot is not to be confused with the white basal band which is the crescent of white on the front of the abdomen.) In females from Mono County, California, the abdomen may only have a median stripe and be missing all other lateral spots. See example: |
Where is Asagena pulcher found?
Range: Published records are from California and Oregon ; and the SCAN Database adds Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah .