Drassyllus lepidus
This record describes Drassyllus lepidus (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Drassyllus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Specimens have been taken from crimson clover, alfalfa, cotton and corn and from beneath leaf litter and debris in pine forests and open fields."
Geographic Range
United States: southern states from SC west to UT. Mexico: Chihuahua, south to Mexico City.
Seasonal Activity
"Males have been collected from June to August and females, from June to September."
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Banks, 1899)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Drassyllus lepidus. 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 Drassyllus lepidus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Laura P.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drassyllus lepidus
How big is Drassyllus lepidus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 3-3.5mm |
| Female | 3.5-4mm |
Where is Drassyllus lepidus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Specimens have been taken from crimson clover, alfalfa, cotton and corn and from beneath leaf litter and debris in pine forests and open fields. |
| Range | United States: southern states from SC west to UT. Mexico: Chihuahua, south to Mexico City. |
When is Drassyllus lepidus active?
Drassyllus lepidus: seasonal activity - Males have been collected from June to August and females, from June to September..