Lupettiana mordax
This record describes Lupettiana mordax (species). Recorded family: Anyphaenidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
It is the only anyphaenid that has such porrect chelicerae (they extend forward). This is a very obvious characteristic in the males. See example here:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Anyphaenidae (Ghost Spiders)
- Genus
- Lupettiana
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Specimens have been collected on Loblolly Pine and Fall Webworm nests, although they can obviously be found in other situations.
Geographic Range
Southeastern USA and California (continuing south throughout Mexico & Panama).
Seasonal Activity
Both adult males and females have been collected year-round.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Lupettiana mordax. 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 Lupettiana mordax (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cheins , Chuck Entz , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Lupettiana mordax
What is Lupettiana mordax?
Lupettiana mordax is a species in the family Anyphaenidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Lupettiana mordax?
Smallish; less than 5mm in body length, excluding chelicerae.
How do you identify Lupettiana mordax?
It is the only anyphaenid that has such porrect chelicerae (they extend forward). This is a very obvious characteristic in the males. See example here:
Where is Lupettiana mordax found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Specimens have been collected on Loblolly Pine and Fall Webworm nests, although they can obviously be found in other situations. |
| Range | Southeastern USA and California (continuing south throughout Mexico & Panama). |
When is Lupettiana mordax active?
Lupettiana mordax: seasonal activity - Both adult males and females have been collected year-round..