Rubens Orbweaver
Hypsosinga rubens
This record describes Hypsosinga rubens (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Poster median eyes (PME) largest distinguishes Hypsosinga from Singa (Levi, 1972a). Color and size morphology can vary considerably. Male voucher specimen: Palp Epigynum Typical FL variation for females
Wikipedia reference for Hypsosinga rubens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypsosinga rubens.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
From western Northwest Territories to Novia Scotia south to Texas to Florida east of the Rocky Mountains
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Hypsosinga rubens. 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 Rubens Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Lynette Elliott , cheins , pfeiffer
Frequently Asked Questions About Rubens Orbweaver
What is Rubens Orbweaver?
Rubens Orbweaver (Hypsosinga rubens) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Rubens Orbweaver?
Poster median eyes (PME) largest distinguishes Hypsosinga from Singa (Levi, 1972a). Color and size morphology can vary considerably. Male voucher specimen: Palp Epigynum Typical FL variation for females
Where is Rubens Orbweaver found?
Range: From western Northwest Territories to Novia Scotia south to Texas to Florida east of the Rocky Mountains