Falconina gracilis
This record describes Falconina gracilis (species). Recorded family: Corinnidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Male: Female: This South American species has been introduced to the Gulf States and seems to be associated with the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta in Texas (J Cokendolpher, pers. comm.) ( 4 )
Identification notes
Male: Female:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Corinnidae (Antmimics and Ground Sac Spiders)
- Genus
- Falconina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to Brazil, Paraguay, & northern Argentina, but introduced to the Gulf States (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC) and more recently to California.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Keyserling. Year first published: 1891, as Hypsinotus gracilis .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Falconina gracilis. 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 Falconina gracilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Bbarnd , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Falconina gracilis
What is Falconina gracilis?
Falconina gracilis is a species in the family Corinnidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Falconina gracilis?
Body length of adult males range from 4.6-6.4mm, and females from 5.9-8.9mm.
How do you identify Falconina gracilis?
Male: Female:
Where is Falconina gracilis found?
Range: Native to Brazil, Paraguay, & northern Argentina, but introduced to the Gulf States (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC) and more recently to California.