Micaria emertoni
This record describes Micaria emertoni (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Palp
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Micaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Specimens have been collected on beaches, sand dunes, and clay banks, under rocks and trash, in pitfall traps in pinyon-pine and juniper and in buildings."
Geographic Range
Southern Canada to Mexico but distribution is poorly known. In the east, this species is known from southern New England to New Jersey. It is also known from Michigan, Western North Dakota and throughout many of the mountainous areas of the western U.S.
Seasonal Activity
Mature males: early June to mid-December Mature females: mid-March to early October
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Micaria emertoni. 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 Micaria emertoni (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chad Heins
Frequently Asked Questions About Micaria emertoni
How big is Micaria emertoni?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Males | ~2.9 mm |
| Females | ~3.8 mm |
How do you identify Micaria emertoni?
Palp
Where is Micaria emertoni found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Specimens have been collected on beaches, sand dunes, and clay banks, under rocks and trash, in pitfall traps in pinyon-pine and juniper and in buildings. |
| Range | Southern Canada to Mexico but distribution is poorly known. In the east, this species is known from southern New England to New Jersey. It is also known from Michigan, Western North Dakota and throughout many of the mountainous areas of the western U.S. |
When is Micaria emertoni active?
Micaria emertoni: seasonal activity - Mature males: early June to mid-December Mature females: mid-March to early October.