Smooth Frilled Orbweaver
Kaira hiteae
This record describes Kaira hiteae (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Similar overall shape to others of this genus, but the surface of the abdomen is almost entirely smooth, lacking the bristly texture of the other two species known from the USA.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Carolinas west to Oklahoma, south through Texas, probably into Mexico
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Kaira hiteae. 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 Smooth Frilled Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose
Frequently Asked Questions About Smooth Frilled Orbweaver
What is Smooth Frilled Orbweaver?
Smooth Frilled Orbweaver (Kaira hiteae) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Smooth Frilled Orbweaver?
Similar overall shape to others of this genus, but the surface of the abdomen is almost entirely smooth, lacking the bristly texture of the other two species known from the USA.
Where is Smooth Frilled Orbweaver found?
Range: Carolinas west to Oklahoma, south through Texas, probably into Mexico