Tennesseellum formica
This record describes Tennesseellum formica (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Carapace | Carapace elongated-oval, light yellow-orange, shiny, strongly granulate (Fig. 16); suffused with dark gray along margin and radiating lines; fovea present. |
| Legs | Legs light yellow-orange, femur a shade darker Abdomen in males cylindrical, elongated, uniformly gray or gray with dark apical and basal bands, the basal band can be complete or broken. Example below: Abdomen in females oval, uniformly gray or gray with dark marks apically and latero-basally Palp Epigynum One of the most abundant epigeal species found in winter wheat is Tennesseellum formicum . ~ Kevin Pfeiffer 22 July, 2012 (from the AAS Conference) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Linyphiinae
- Genus
- Tennesseellum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In published lists of ground-dwelling spiders as a common species, with grassland and forest floor among the environments mentioned. Also in lists of spiders found in various field crops, and mentioned as collected in low vegetation.
Geographic Range
Alaska to Newfoundland south to Florida and west to California. According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NF, NS, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI, WV
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: formica - Latin for "ant" (the species is an ant mimic)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Tennesseellum formica. 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 Tennesseellum formica (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Laura P.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennesseellum formica
What is Tennesseellum formica?
Tennesseellum formica is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Tennesseellum formica?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.53mm |
| Female | 2.34mm |
How do you identify Tennesseellum formica?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Carapace | Carapace elongated-oval, light yellow-orange, shiny, strongly granulate (Fig. 16); suffused with dark gray along margin and radiating lines; fovea present. |
| Legs | Legs light yellow-orange, femur a shade darker Abdomen in males cylindrical, elongated, uniformly gray or gray with dark apical and basal bands, the basal band can be complete or broken. Example below: Abdomen in females oval, uniformly gray or gray with dark marks apically and latero-basally Palp Epigynum |
Where is Tennesseellum formica found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In published lists of ground-dwelling spiders as a common species, with grassland and forest floor among the environments mentioned. Also in lists of spiders found in various field crops, and mentioned as collected in low vegetation. |
| Range | Alaska to Newfoundland south to Florida and west to California. According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NF, NS, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI, WV |