Western Parson Spider
Herpyllus propinquus
This record describes Herpyllus propinquus (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
H. propinquus is basically identical in appearance to H. ecclesiasticus , and examination of reproductive organs is needed for positive identification.
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
Geographic Range
H. propinquus generally occurs west of the Rocky Mountains, although range overlaps with H. ecclesiasticus in several states (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, western Texas). Range extends from southern Canada (BC) to northern Mexico.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The common name refers to the white dorsal stripe on the abdomen, which resembles a cravat worn by a parson or minister during the 1800's (Guarisco, 2007).
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Herpyllus propinquus. 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 Western Parson Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cheins , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Parson Spider
What is Western Parson Spider?
Western Parson Spider (Herpyllus propinquus) is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Western Parson Spider?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | ~6.0 mm |
| Female | ~8.4 mm |
How do you identify Western Parson Spider?
H. propinquus is basically identical in appearance to H. ecclesiasticus , and examination of reproductive organs is needed for positive identification.
Where is Western Parson Spider found?
Range: H. propinquus generally occurs west of the Rocky Mountains, although range overlaps with H. ecclesiasticus in several states (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, western Texas). Range extends from southern Canada (BC) to northern Mexico.