Enoplognatha ovata
This record describes Enoplognatha ovata (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Enoplognatha ovata has several color morphs. This one is form lineata , with several pairs of dorsolateral spots, but no red stripes. Form redimita has two dorsolateral red stripes running the length of the abdominal dorsum. Form ovata , the least common morph, has a solid red band running the length of the abdominal dorsum (upper surface of the abdomen). Source: David Wise & Paul Reillo, Frequencies of Color Morphs in Four Populations of Enoplognatha ovata in Eastern North America, 1984. ~ Andrew Reding Male: Juvenile Not-native
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)
- Genus
- Enoplognatha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Northeastern states and adjacent Canada; Pacific Coast states and British Columbia.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Different individuals can have white or blue egg sacs (I think there's another color possible too). The egg sac will normally be in a leaf nest. The spiderlings overwinter in leaf litter. ~ Rod Crawford.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Enoplognatha ovata. 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 Enoplognatha ovata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Lynette Elliott , Kevin Hall
Frequently Asked Questions About Enoplognatha ovata
What is Enoplognatha ovata?
Enoplognatha ovata is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Enoplognatha ovata?
Enoplognatha ovata has several color morphs. This one is form lineata , with several pairs of dorsolateral spots, but no red stripes. Form redimita has two dorsolateral red stripes running the length of the abdominal dorsum. Form ovata , the least common morph, has a solid red band running the length of the abdominal dorsum (upper surface of the abdomen). Source: David Wise & Paul Reillo, Frequencies of Color Morphs in Four Populations of Enoplognatha ovata in Eastern North America, 1984. ~ Andrew Reding Male: Juvenile
Where is Enoplognatha ovata found?
Range: Northeastern states and adjacent Canada; Pacific Coast states and British Columbia.
What is the life cycle of a Enoplognatha ovata?
Different individuals can have white or blue egg sacs (I think there's another color possible too). The egg sac will normally be in a leaf nest. The spiderlings overwinter in leaf litter. ~ Rod Crawford.