Lined Orbweaver
Mangora gibberosa
This record describes Mangora gibberosa (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum More common in fields than woods.
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
All of the eastern United States. Nova Scotia to North Dakota, to Colorado, to Texas, east to Florida.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Mangora gibberosa (Hentz, 1847) Latin: from gibber- "hunchbacked, hump-backed" + -osus, a suffix meaning "extremely, full of"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Mangora gibberosa. 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 Lined Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cheins , Chuck Entz , kschnei , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Lined Orbweaver
What is Lined Orbweaver?
Lined Orbweaver (Mangora gibberosa) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Lined Orbweaver?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 3.4-4.8 mm |
| Male | Length 2.6-3.2 mm |
How do you identify Lined Orbweaver?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Lined Orbweaver found?
Range: All of the eastern United States. Nova Scotia to North Dakota, to Colorado, to Texas, east to Florida.