Metepeira foxi
This record describes Metepeira foxi (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Metepeira foxi differs from all other species north of Mexico, except grandiosa and datona by not having a white longitudinal line on the sternum. It doesn't occur in Florida like datona.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Alberta to New Mexico and west to British Columbia and California.
Seasonal Activity
March to July.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gertsch & Ivie, 1936
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Metepeira foxi. 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 Metepeira foxi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Sloan; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Metepeira foxi
What is Metepeira foxi?
Metepeira foxi is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Metepeira foxi?
Females 3.6 to 6.1 mm, Males 2.7 to 4.5 mm
How do you identify Metepeira foxi?
Metepeira foxi differs from all other species north of Mexico, except grandiosa and datona by not having a white longitudinal line on the sternum. It doesn't occur in Florida like datona.
Where is Metepeira foxi found?
Range: Alberta to New Mexico and west to British Columbia and California.
When is Metepeira foxi active?
Metepeira foxi: seasonal activity - March to July..