Striped Lynx Spider
Oxyopes salticus
This record describes Oxyopes salticus (species). Recorded family: Oxyopidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Males Palp: Females Epigynum:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grasses and leafy vegetation; grassy, weedy fields (Brady, 1964).
Geographic Range
Eastern United States from Massachusetts and Iowa south to Florida and Texas, along Mexican border, north along Pacific coast to Oregon. Also much of South and Central America (Young and Lockle 1985)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Oxyopes salticus. 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 Striped Lynx Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Graham M , Vox Sciurorum , kschnei , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Striped Lynx Spider
How big is Striped Lynx Spider?
Body length: Adult females: ~6mm Adult males: ~5mm
How do you identify Striped Lynx Spider?
Males Palp: Females Epigynum:
Where is Striped Lynx Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grasses and leafy vegetation; grassy, weedy fields (Brady, 1964). |
| Range | Eastern United States from Massachusetts and Iowa south to Florida and Texas, along Mexican border, north along Pacific coast to Oregon. Also much of South and Central America (Young and Lockle 1985) |