Camptocosa parallela
This record describes Camptocosa parallela (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Adult female with egg sac:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southwestern states: Arizona, California, southern Nevada, New Mexico, southern Utah, Texas. (Quote: "Interior California east to southern Utah and Texas, south to Baja California Sur and Durango." )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: ( Banks , 1898)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Camptocosa parallela. 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 Camptocosa parallela (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Camptocosa parallela
How big is Camptocosa parallela?
Body length (excluding legs) of adult males approx. 5-6 millimeters, adult females approx. 6-7 millimeters.
How do you identify Camptocosa parallela?
Adult female with egg sac:
Where is Camptocosa parallela found?
Range: Southwestern states: Arizona, California, southern Nevada, New Mexico, southern Utah, Texas. (Quote: Interior California east to southern Utah and Texas, south to Baja California Sur and Durango. )