Neoscona utahana
This record describes Neoscona utahana (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
On dorsal side of abdomen, look for a dark 'V'-shaped folium that is bordered on the outside by a thin white line. Immature female: Likely adult female: Adult male:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Has been taken from under eaves of buildings in (at least) Texas.
Geographic Range
N. utahana - specific states shown on the map in Berman & Levi 1971 are Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Also extends south into Mexico.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Chamberlin. Year first published: 1919, as Aranea utahana .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Neoscona utahana. 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 Neoscona utahana (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Neoscona utahana
What is Neoscona utahana?
Neoscona utahana is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Neoscona utahana?
Body length (excluding legs) 6-11 millimeters. Adult males smaller than adult females.
How do you identify Neoscona utahana?
On dorsal side of abdomen, look for a dark 'V'-shaped folium that is bordered on the outside by a thin white line. Immature female: Likely adult female: Adult male:
Where is Neoscona utahana found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Has been taken from under eaves of buildings in (at least) Texas. |
| Range | N. utahana - specific states shown on the map in Berman & Levi 1971 are Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Also extends south into Mexico. |