Theridion californicum
This record describes Theridion californicum (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This species appears to be highly polymorphic with regards to dorsal abdominal pattern, with pure yellow and white morphs and a series of morphs with black or red lines, rings or blobs on the abdomen .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)
- Genus
- Theridion
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
"Pacific coast states ".
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Theridion californicum. 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 Theridion californicum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by kschnei , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Theridion californicum
What is Theridion californicum?
Theridion californicum is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Theridion californicum?
This species appears to be highly polymorphic with regards to dorsal abdominal pattern, with pure yellow and white morphs and a series of morphs with black or red lines, rings or blobs on the abdomen .
Where is Theridion californicum found?
Range: Pacific coast states .