Canada Sheetweb Weaver
Bathyphantes canadensis
This record describes Bathyphantes canadensis (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Color of carapace light to dark brown, with dusky radial marks. Abdomen varying from pale gray to blackish above, usually with characteristic pattern of dark and light gray Palp
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Linyphiinae
- Genus
- Bathyphantes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NT, ON, PQ, SK; AK, NY, OH, WY but there is a record from MN also here on BugGuide.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Bathyphantes canadensis. 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 Canada Sheetweb Weaver (4)
Photo credits: (c) cheins1, all rights reserved, uploaded by cheins1 | Contributed by Chad Heins
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Sheetweb Weaver
What is Canada Sheetweb Weaver?
Canada Sheetweb Weaver (Bathyphantes canadensis) is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Canada Sheetweb Weaver?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.75mm |
| Female | 1.8mm |
How do you identify Canada Sheetweb Weaver?
Color of carapace light to dark brown, with dusky radial marks. Abdomen varying from pale gray to blackish above, usually with characteristic pattern of dark and light gray Palp
Where is Canada Sheetweb Weaver found?
Range: According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NT, ON, PQ, SK; AK, NY, OH, WY but there is a record from MN also here on BugGuide.