Pale Frilled Orbweaver
Kaira alba
This record describes Kaira alba (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Strong resemblance to a leaf or flower bud. Overall warty, bristly, irregular appearance.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Statewide in Florida; also documented from Kansas and Texas. Records here on the Guide from Alabama and South Carolina as well.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: See the genus for a description of the remarkable foraging behavior
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Kaira alba. 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 Pale Frilled Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Pale Frilled Orbweaver
What is Pale Frilled Orbweaver?
Pale Frilled Orbweaver (Kaira alba) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Pale Frilled Orbweaver?
Strong resemblance to a leaf or flower bud. Overall warty, bristly, irregular appearance.
Where is Pale Frilled Orbweaver found?
Range: Statewide in Florida; also documented from Kansas and Texas. Records here on the Guide from Alabama and South Carolina as well.
What does Pale Frilled Orbweaver eat?
The diet of the Pale Frilled Orbweaver includes See the genus for a description of the remarkable foraging behavior.