Parasteatoda tabulata
This record describes Parasteatoda tabulata (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
See drawing of male and female on page 38 of Yoshida 1983 . (Be careful, it's somewhat similar in appearance to P. tepidariorum . The best, if only, way to accurately separate them is by the genitalia.) Unlike Parasteatoda tepidariorum , the females of this species make a retreat which is covered with pieces of twig, grass, stone, earth, or prey remains. The retreat is suspended near the very middle of the web and the female is often found inside it, sometimes with one or more males in close proximity. Egg sacs are placed inside the retreat. The collection of adults of both sexes in pitfall traps at Aylmer, Quebec suggests considerable movement along the ground. Adults of P. tepidariorum are seldom if ever caught by this collecting method.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)
- Genus
- Parasteatoda
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Synanthropic; expect to find it near man-made structures.
Geographic Range
Herbert Levi first described this species in 1980 using a single female that was found in Long Island, New York . Since that time, published records include the following Canadian provinces: ON , QC , NB , & NF . It's predicted that it can be found in more places than that, though, since it is so similar in appearance to the common Parasteatoda tepidariorum and may be overlooked on occasion. [edit] BugGuide recently received a record for Minnesota , as well.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Herbert W. Levi. Year first published: 1980, as Achaearanea tabulata .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Parasteatoda tabulata. 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 Parasteatoda tabulata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Parasteatoda tabulata
What is Parasteatoda tabulata?
Parasteatoda tabulata is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Parasteatoda tabulata?
See drawing of male and female on page 38 of Yoshida 1983 . (Be careful, it's somewhat similar in appearance to P. tepidariorum . The best, if only, way to accurately separate them is by the genitalia.)
Where is Parasteatoda tabulata found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Synanthropic; expect to find it near man-made structures. |
| Range | Herbert Levi first described this species in 1980 using a single female that was found in Long Island, New York . Since that time, published records include the following Canadian provinces: ON , QC , NB , & NF . It's predicted that it can be found in more places than that, though, since it is so similar in appearance to the common Parasteatoda tepidariorum and may be overlooked on occasion. [edit] BugGuide recently received a record for Minnesota , as well. |