Dictis striatipes
This record describes Dictis striatipes (species). Recorded family: Scytodidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This species has legs with long-thin stripes on the top and bottom of the legs, with dark joints. ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Scytodidae (Spitting Spiders)
- Genus
- Dictis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
sw US (s. CA to w. TX, s. TX), nw. Mex. , native to Tropical Asia, introduced into Hawaii, sw N. Amer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Immature individuals are lighter in color and some adults may be very dark. Examples:
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Dictis striatipes. 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 Dictis striatipes (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Biagi; Additional contributions by cheins , Mike Quinn , Laura P. , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Dictis striatipes
What is Dictis striatipes?
Dictis striatipes is a species in the family Scytodidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Dictis striatipes?
♀ ~ 8mm (BG images)
How do you identify Dictis striatipes?
This species has legs with long-thin stripes on the top and bottom of the legs, with dark joints. ♀ ♂
Where is Dictis striatipes found?
Range: sw US (s. CA to w. TX, s. TX), nw. Mex. , native to Tropical Asia, introduced into Hawaii, sw N. Amer.
What is the life cycle of a Dictis striatipes?
Immature individuals are lighter in color and some adults may be very dark. Examples: