Theridion kawea
This record describes Theridion kawea (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Epigynum is an oval depression with a posterior border; a median raised area divides the depression into two equal halves. |
| Carapace | Carapace yellow with reddish triangular mark enclosing eye area. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen with a scalloped, reddish, median band bordered by white line. Venter pale/yellow-white. The pattern may be quite variable based on our voucher specimens from Dr. Lenny Vincent (e.g. the black patch on abdomen). Dr. Herbert Levi commented that the form with the white cross band on the abdomen is only found on a few individuals (L. Vincent and H. Levi, pers. comm. 2014). The examples below may be the more common color morph(?): Only the female has been described. |
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
The only published records are from CA, UT, and Chihuahua, Mexico.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Theridion kawea. 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 kawea (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe; Additional contributions by Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Theridion kawea
What is Theridion kawea?
Theridion kawea is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Theridion kawea?
Body length, excluding legs, ranges from 2.9 - 3.9 mm.
How do you identify Theridion kawea?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Epigynum is an oval depression with a posterior border; a median raised area divides the depression into two equal halves. |
| Carapace | Carapace yellow with reddish triangular mark enclosing eye area. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen with a scalloped, reddish, median band bordered by white line. Venter pale/yellow-white. The pattern may be quite variable based on our voucher specimens from Dr. Lenny Vincent (e.g. the black patch on abdomen). Dr. Herbert Levi commented that the form with the white cross band on the abdomen is only found on a few individuals (L. Vincent and H. Levi, pers. comm. 2014). The examples below may be the more common color morph(?): |
Where is Theridion kawea found?
Range: The only published records are from CA, UT, and Chihuahua, Mexico.