Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato
Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato
This record describes Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Approximately 6mm from front of head to back of abdomen. There is a pale creamy-green coloured variety (form lineata), a form with two red stripes along the abdomen (redimita form) and another variation where the two red stripes are replaced by a single thick red strip (form ovata). The black spots on both sides of the abdomen are present in all three forms. This species can only be reliably separated from Enoplognatha latimana by detailed examination with a microscope or good lens. https://britishspiders.org.uk/candy-striped-spiders
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Theridiidae
- Genus
- Enoplognatha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hedgerows, grassland and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
May to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Feeds on small insects.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common throughout Britain.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato. 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 Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato
What is Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato?
Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato (Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato) is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato found?
Habitat: Hedgerows, grassland and gardens.
When is Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato active?
Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato: seasonal activity - May to October..
What is the life cycle of a Common Candy-striped Spider sensu lato?
Feeds on small insects.