Sosticus insularis
This record describes Sosticus insularis (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This is a small, dark-colored ground spider. The cephalothorax is dark brown as are the femora of the legs. The tips of the legs are lighter in color. The abdomen is dark gray, nearly black. The male has a scutum over more than half of the abdomen. The posterior median eyes are widely spaced and about the same size as the other eyes. Palp Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Sosticus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
This is a primarily eastern species, occurring from New England west to the Great Lakes region and south to north Texas and eastern Georgia.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Sosticus 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 Sosticus insularis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Laura P.; Additional contributions by cheins , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Sosticus insularis
What is Sosticus insularis?
Sosticus insularis is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Sosticus insularis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Males | ~5.5 mm |
| Females | ~6.6 mm |
How do you identify Sosticus insularis?
This is a small, dark-colored ground spider. The cephalothorax is dark brown as are the femora of the legs. The tips of the legs are lighter in color. The abdomen is dark gray, nearly black. The male has a scutum over more than half of the abdomen. The posterior median eyes are widely spaced and about the same size as the other eyes. Palp Epigynum
Where is Sosticus insularis found?
Range: This is a primarily eastern species, occurring from New England west to the Great Lakes region and south to north Texas and eastern Georgia.