Gertsch's Triangleweaver
Hyptiotes gertschi
This record describes Hyptiotes gertschi (species). Recorded family: Uloboridae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Adults can be distinguished from other species of Hyptiotes by specific features of the epigynum or palp. Given the known distribution of the four species in the genus, it might be reasonable to include geographic location as a diagnostic clue (for example, only gertschi appears to be known from the Northwest - please see genus page and references)?
Wikipedia reference for Hyptiotes gertschi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyptiotes_gertschi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Uloboridae (Cribellate Orb Weavers)
- Genus
- Hyptiotes (Triangle web spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Webs of individuals of H. gertschi may be abundant among the dead interior branches near the bottom of pine trees. Additional habitats, in the western part of the range, are cliff faces, ravines and bridges" .
Geographic Range
All across Canada and along the Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to southern California. Some records for the inland Western states and appears to overlap with H. cavatus in New England and New York.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Hyptiotes gertschi. 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 Gertsch's Triangleweaver (9)
Photo credits: (c) Tony Iwane, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tony Iwane | (c) Jason Headley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jason Headley | (c) Harsi S. Parker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Harsi S. Parker | (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe | (c) Thomas Barbin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Thomas Barbin | (c) Trent, all rights reserved, uploaded by Trent | no rights reserved, uploaded by Ellyne Geurts | Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , dragonfly12
Frequently Asked Questions About Gertsch's Triangleweaver
What is Gertsch's Triangleweaver?
Gertsch's Triangleweaver (Hyptiotes gertschi) is a species in the family Uloboridae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Gertsch's Triangleweaver?
Males ~ 2-3 mm; Females ~ 3-4 mm (body length).
How do you identify Gertsch's Triangleweaver?
Adults can be distinguished from other species of Hyptiotes by specific features of the epigynum or palp. Given the known distribution of the four species in the genus, it might be reasonable to include geographic location as a diagnostic clue (for example, only gertschi appears to be known from the Northwest - please see genus page and references)?
Where is Gertsch's Triangleweaver found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Webs of individuals of H. gertschi may be abundant among the dead interior branches near the bottom of pine trees. Additional habitats, in the western part of the range, are cliff faces, ravines and bridges . |
| Range | All across Canada and along the Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to southern California. Some records for the inland Western states and appears to overlap with H. cavatus in New England and New York. |