Metepeira minima
This record describes Metepeira minima (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The following image is closest to the ventral drawing in the work cited: (two white ventral marks & 4 spots around spinnerets)
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Texas.
Seasonal Activity
Adults found in all seasons.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Gertsch. Year first published: 1936.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Metepeira minima. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metepeira minima
What is Metepeira minima?
Metepeira minima is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Metepeira minima?
The following image is closest to the ventral drawing in the work cited: (two white ventral marks & 4 spots around spinnerets)
Where is Metepeira minima found?
Range: Southern Texas.
When is Metepeira minima active?
Metepeira minima: seasonal activity - Adults found in all seasons..