Ostearius melanopygius
This record describes Ostearius melanopygius (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This is a very small spider. The male has a 2 mm body length and is smaller than the female which has a 3 mm body length. The uniformly orange-red abdomen is most distinctive, whilst the head is darker almost back. There is also a blackish patch at the rear of the abdomen which is probably best seen from beneath. There are no other spiders with a similar appearance. O. melanopygius occurs in a very wide range of habitats, particularly rubbish heaps and gardens, under stones etc and occasionally occurring indoors. All year but mainly found from spring through to autumn. Distribution: The species is widespread but patchy in much of England, and very scattered elsewhere in Britain. https://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Ostearius+melanopygius No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Linyphiinae
- Genus
- Ostearius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
O. melanopygius occurs in a very wide range of habitats, particularly rubbish heaps and gardens, under stones etc and occasionally occurring indoors.
Seasonal Activity
All year but mainly found from spring through to autumn.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distribution: The species is widespread but patchy in much of England, and very scattered elsewhere in Britain.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Ostearius melanopygius. 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 Ostearius melanopygius (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ostearius melanopygius
What is Ostearius melanopygius?
Ostearius melanopygius is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Ostearius melanopygius?
and is smaller than the female which has a 3 mm body length. The uniformly orange-red abdomen is most distinctive, whilst the head is darker almost back. There is also a blackish patch at the rear of the abdomen which is probably best seen from beneath. There are no other spiders with a similar appearance.
Where is Ostearius melanopygius found?
Habitat: O. melanopygius occurs in a very wide range of habitats, particularly rubbish heaps and gardens, under stones etc and occasionally occurring indoors.
When is Ostearius melanopygius active?
Ostearius melanopygius: seasonal activity - All year but mainly found from spring through to autumn..