Coelotes atropos
This record describes Coelotes atropos (species). Recorded family: Amaurobiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Size: Female 9-12 mm; male 7-9 mm. Red head, thorax and legs with a light brown abdomen with a central cardiac mark. This species lives under stones and logs where it builds a tube-shaped web. The female lays eggs in the tube shaped web and the spiderlings stay with their mother once hatched, feeding on the same prey. At the end of the season the mother dies and is eaten by her offspring. Frequent but mostly recorded from western England and from Wales.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Amaurobiidae
- Genus
- Coelotes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species lives under stones and logs where it builds a tube-shaped web.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The female lays eggs in the tube shaped web and the spiderlings stay with their mother once hatched, feeding on the same prey. At the end of the season the mother dies and is eaten by her offspring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Frequent but mostly recorded from western England and from Wales.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Coelotes atropos. 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 Coelotes atropos (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Coelotes atropos
What is Coelotes atropos?
Coelotes atropos is a species in the family Amaurobiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Coelotes atropos?
Female 9-12 mm; male 7-9 mm. Red head, thorax and legs with a light brown abdomen with a central cardiac mark.
Where is Coelotes atropos found?
Habitat: This species lives under stones and logs where it builds a tube-shaped web.
What is the life cycle of a Coelotes atropos?
The female lays eggs in the tube shaped web and the spiderlings stay with their mother once hatched, feeding on the same prey. At the end of the season the mother dies and is eaten by her offspring.