Herpyllus hesperolus
This record describes Herpyllus hesperolus (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum (undissected/ventral dissected/dorsal dissected)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Herpyllus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"...specimens have been collected at elevations up to 9,500 feet, in houses, under rocks, and associated with sagebrush, juniper, ephedra, manzanita, and yucca ".
Geographic Range
"British Columbia east to Saskatchewan, south to northern Baja California and western Texas .
Seasonal Activity
"Mature males and females have been taken year-round ".
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Herpyllus hesperolus. 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 Herpyllus hesperolus (2)
Photo credits: (c) K Schneider, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by K Schneider | Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Herpyllus hesperolus
What is Herpyllus hesperolus?
Herpyllus hesperolus is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Herpyllus hesperolus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | ~6.5 mm |
| Female | ~8.8 mm |
How do you identify Herpyllus hesperolus?
Palp Epigynum (undissected/ventral dissected/dorsal dissected)
Where is Herpyllus hesperolus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | ...specimens have been collected at elevations up to 9,500 feet, in houses, under rocks, and associated with sagebrush, juniper, ephedra, manzanita, and yucca . |
| Range | British Columbia east to Saskatchewan, south to northern Baja California and western Texas . |
When is Herpyllus hesperolus active?
Herpyllus hesperolus: seasonal activity - Mature males and females have been taken year-round ..