Theridion submissum
This record describes Theridion submissum (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Male carapace orange-brown with reddish triangular area enclosing the eyes and coming to a point in center of carapace. Dorsal side of abdomen with slightly scalloped white longitudinal median band extending its full length. Sides of abdomen with some black stippling or reticulations along the lateral borders of the median band. Venter yellowish. The female is only formally described once very briefly as, Coloration yellow-white, except abdomen which is white. However, we believe the colors of the holotype may have been faded or washed out from preservation. Until we receive vouchers of the female, we're unsure what their color pattern normally looks like (perhaps it is similar to the male). This was a common spider captured by a species of Trypoxylon wasp in Baja California.
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
Published records only include AZ, NM, TX. However, our voucher specimen adds CA. The range also extends south to Chiapas, Mexico (includes Baja California Sur ); also found in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Theridion submissum. 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 submissum (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe; Additional contributions by kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Theridion submissum
What is Theridion submissum?
Theridion submissum is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Theridion submissum?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body length of adult female ~2.3 mm. |
| Body | Body length of adult male 1.9 - 2.2 mm. |
How do you identify Theridion submissum?
Male carapace orange-brown with reddish triangular area enclosing the eyes and coming to a point in center of carapace. Dorsal side of abdomen with slightly scalloped white longitudinal median band extending its full length. Sides of abdomen with some black stippling or reticulations along the lateral borders of the median band. Venter yellowish. The female is only formally described once very briefly as, Coloration yellow-white, except abdomen which is white. However, we believe the colors of the holotype may have been faded or washed out from preservation. Until we receive vouchers of the female, we're unsure what their color pattern normally looks like (perhaps it is similar to the male).
Where is Theridion submissum found?
Range: Published records only include AZ, NM, TX. However, our voucher specimen adds CA. The range also extends south to Chiapas, Mexico (includes Baja California Sur ); also found in Jamaica and the Bahamas.