Piratula insularis
This record describes Piratula insularis (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Females are (so far) indistinguishable from Piratula cantralli , even when comparing the epigynes. Males are easily distinguished from P. cantralli by lacking swollen tibiae and metatarsi on legs I and II, and also by lacking long curly setae on the underside of the first metatarsi. ( 3 )
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Alaska to Nova Scotia, south to Arizona and Florida. Also found in many parts of Europe (it is considered a holarctic species).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Emerton, 1885)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Piratula insularis. 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 Piratula insularis (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Piratula insularis
What is Piratula insularis?
Piratula insularis is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Piratula insularis?
Body length of adults about 4-5.8 millimeters.
How do you identify Piratula insularis?
Females are (so far) indistinguishable from Piratula cantralli , even when comparing the epigynes. Males are easily distinguished from P. cantralli by lacking swollen tibiae and metatarsi on legs I and II, and also by lacking long curly setae on the underside of the first metatarsi. ( 3 )
Where is Piratula insularis found?
Range: Southern Alaska to Nova Scotia, south to Arizona and Florida. Also found in many parts of Europe (it is considered a holarctic species).