Scopoides catharius
This record describes Scopoides catharius (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Voucher male:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Scopoides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Literature reports only southern California ; and the SCAN Database adds a few records from Pima, Arizona.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: W. R. Icenogle reported seeing this species feed on other spiders (araneophagic).
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Scopoides catharius. 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 Scopoides catharius (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Scopoides catharius
How big is Scopoides catharius?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body length of males 4.66-6.52 mm. |
| Body | Body length of females 5.72-7.65 mm. |
How do you identify Scopoides catharius?
Voucher male:
Where is Scopoides catharius found?
Range: Literature reports only southern California ; and the SCAN Database adds a few records from Pima, Arizona.
What does Scopoides catharius eat?
The diet of the Scopoides catharius includes W. R. Icenogle reported seeing this species feed on other spiders (araneophagic)..