Theridion punctipes
This record describes Theridion punctipes (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Adult males could perhaps be identified in the species range with good photos by the very long chelicerae, dark markings on the anterior chelicerae and the dark spot on the epigastric plate (KRS).
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
Washington, Oregon, and California.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Theridion punctipes Emerton, 1924
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Theridion punctipes. 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 punctipes (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by kschnei , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Theridion punctipes
What is Theridion punctipes?
Theridion punctipes is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Theridion punctipes?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 2.7-4.5 mm |
| Male | Length 2.7-3.7 mm |
How do you identify Theridion punctipes?
Adult males could perhaps be identified in the species range with good photos by the very long chelicerae, dark markings on the anterior chelicerae and the dark spot on the epigastric plate (KRS).
Where is Theridion punctipes found?
Range: Washington, Oregon, and California.