Oak Crab Spider
Mecaphesa quercina
This record describes Mecaphesa quercina (species). Recorded family: Thomisidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Thomisidae (Crab Spiders)
- Genus
- Mecaphesa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
According to Schick, this species is found almost exclusively in "foothill woodland" and "northern oak woodland", often on oak trees.
Geographic Range
California.
Seasonal Activity
Mature specimens taken from April-August, per Schick.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Quercina is from the Latin word for oak
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Mecaphesa quercina. 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 Oak Crab Spider (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins , Vox Sciurorum
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Crab Spider
How do you identify Oak Crab Spider?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Oak Crab Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | According to Schick, this species is found almost exclusively in foothill woodland and northern oak woodland, often on oak trees. |
| Range | California. |
When is Oak Crab Spider active?
Oak Crab Spider: seasonal activity - Mature specimens taken from April-August, per Schick..