Pardosa nigriceps
This record describes Pardosa nigriceps (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Female 5 to 7 mm. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen brown with a clear light brown cardiac mark, a double row of white spots behind and light brown sides. |
| Carapace | Carapace dark brown with a light brown median band and light brown bands along the sides. |
| Legs | Legs and palps brown with dark spots on the femora. |
| Legs | Legs with long spines. Male 4 to 6 mm. Markings almost identical to the female, the pattern on the abdomen is a little less obvious. Palps with dark tarsi. Confirmation of this species: Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia. Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press. P. nigriceps is found on the ground, on low vegetation and bushes in a variety of habitats such as grasslands, woodland clearings, old quarries and roadside verges. It tends to live higher in the vegetation than other Pardosa species. The spider is adult in spring and early summer, females persisting later. Widespread and fairly frequent throughout most of Britain. No additional images available for this species. |
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
P. nigriceps
Seasonal Activity
The spider is adult in spring and early summer, females persisting later.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent throughout most of Britain.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Pardosa nigriceps. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pardosa nigriceps
What is Pardosa nigriceps?
Pardosa nigriceps is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Pardosa nigriceps found?
Habitat: P. nigriceps
When is Pardosa nigriceps active?
Pardosa nigriceps: seasonal activity - The spider is adult in spring and early summer, females persisting later..