Colonus sylvanus
This record describes Colonus sylvanus (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Epigynum: Palp: See Notes on the jumping spiders Colonus puerperus (Hentz 1846) and Colonus sylvanus (Hentz 1846) in the southeastern United States for info on distinguishing Colonus sylvanus from Colonus puerperus .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Colonus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually associated with trees and is presumably arboreal.
Geographic Range
Eastern half of the United States.
Seasonal Activity
Egg sacs made in late spring or summer.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The name sylvana suggests association with woodlands
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Colonus sylvanus. 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 Colonus sylvanus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by cheins , Dick Walton , dragonfly12 , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Colonus sylvanus
What is Colonus sylvanus?
Colonus sylvanus is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Colonus sylvanus?
Body length about 7.5mm or less.
How do you identify Colonus sylvanus?
Epigynum: Palp: See Notes on the jumping spiders Colonus puerperus (Hentz 1846) and Colonus sylvanus (Hentz 1846) in the southeastern United States for info on distinguishing Colonus sylvanus from Colonus puerperus .
Where is Colonus sylvanus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually associated with trees and is presumably arboreal. |
| Range | Eastern half of the United States. |
When is Colonus sylvanus active?
Colonus sylvanus: seasonal activity - Egg sacs made in late spring or summer..