Nigma walckenaeri
This record describes Nigma walckenaeri (species). Recorded family: Dictynidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
A small spider, up to 5 mm long with a beautiful, bright green abdomen that has a few white hairs giving a shiny, or frosted appearance. The legs are a yellowish-green. Females have a green head (cephalothorax), while adult males have a brown head. Often found on leaves such as Ivy, etc. Common in parks and gardens. May wander into houses. Summer to autumn. Old females may persist until spring. The spider catches insects, sometimes larger than itself, in its web, which it builds on the surface of leaves. The female hides the 7-millimetre long egg sac on a place distant from its retreat. First recorded in Great Britain in 1880, until 1993 it was only found in London and the Home Counties. 545 British records for this species to 2015.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Dictynidae
- Genus
- Nigma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often found on leaves such as Ivy, etc. Common in parks and gardens. May wander into houses.
Seasonal Activity
Summer to autumn. Old females may persist until spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The spider catches insects, sometimes larger than itself, in its web, which it builds on the surface of leaves. The female hides the 7-millimetre long egg sac on a place distant from its retreat.
Additional species information
Recorded status
First recorded in Great Britain in 1880, until 1993 it was only found in London and the Home Counties.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Nigma walckenaeri. 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 Nigma walckenaeri (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Nigma walckenaeri
What is Nigma walckenaeri?
Nigma walckenaeri is a species in the family Dictynidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Nigma walckenaeri found?
Habitat: Often found on leaves such as Ivy, etc. Common in parks and gardens. May wander into houses.
When is Nigma walckenaeri active?
Nigma walckenaeri: seasonal activity - Summer to autumn. Old females may persist until spring..
What is the life cycle of a Nigma walckenaeri?
The spider catches insects, sometimes larger than itself, in its web, which it builds on the surface of leaves. The female hides the 7-millimetre long egg sac on a place distant from its retreat.