Theridion petraeum
This record describes Theridion petraeum (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Palp: Epigynum:
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
Habitat
Found on low bushes in Maine, on potatoes in Nebraska, and under logs in Colorado.
Geographic Range
Scattered records. Maine to Alaska, south to central California, east to Colorado. Also found in central/southern Europe and North Africa.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Theridion petraeum. 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 petraeum (4)
Photo credits: (c) cheins1, all rights reserved, uploaded by cheins1 | Contributed by Chad Heins; Additional contributions by Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Theridion petraeum
How big is Theridion petraeum?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 2.6 mm |
| Male | Length 2.7 mm |
How do you identify Theridion petraeum?
Palp: Epigynum:
Where is Theridion petraeum found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found on low bushes in Maine, on potatoes in Nebraska, and under logs in Colorado. |
| Range | Scattered records. Maine to Alaska, south to central California, east to Colorado. Also found in central/southern Europe and North Africa. |