Hammock Spider
Pityohyphantes costatus
This record describes Pityohyphantes costatus (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Linyphiinae
- Genus
- Pityohyphantes (Hammock Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wooded and open areas. The web is built in shrubs and the low branches of trees. The spider waits at the edge of the web or under a leaf or other nearby cover.
Geographic Range
This species is the most common member of this genus in the East.
Seasonal Activity
Adults - spring thru summer. Subadults in winter.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Hentz. Year first published: 1850.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Pityohyphantes costatus. 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 Hammock Spider (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Jeff Hollenbeck , cheins , Chuck Entz , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Hammock Spider
How do you identify Hammock Spider?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Hammock Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wooded and open areas. The web is built in shrubs and the low branches of trees. The spider waits at the edge of the web or under a leaf or other nearby cover. |
| Range | This species is the most common member of this genus in the East. |
When is Hammock Spider active?
Hammock Spider: seasonal activity - Adults - spring thru summer. Subadults in winter..