Cicurina itasca
This record describes Cicurina itasca (species). Recorded family: Cicurinidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Cicurina itasca is a species of true spider in the family Hahniidae. It can be found in the United States.
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Wikipedia reference for Cicurina itasca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicurina itasca.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Cicurinidae (cicurinid spiders)
- Genus
- Cicurina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
The literature indicates a range from Minnesota to Wisconsin (Levi, 1951) and Quebec (Paquin & Duperre, 2006). Records here on BugGuide from Massachusetts suggests a still broader range.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Cicurina itasca. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cicurina itasca
What is Cicurina itasca?
Cicurina itasca is a species in the family Cicurinidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Cicurina itasca?
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Where is Cicurina itasca found?
Range: The literature indicates a range from Minnesota to Wisconsin (Levi, 1951) and Quebec (Paquin & Duperre, 2006). Records here on BugGuide from Massachusetts suggests a still broader range.