Trachelas tranquillus
This record describes Trachelas tranquillus (species). Recorded family: Trachelidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | epigyne |
| Male | Palp Will not bite unless handled or provoked. There are records of secondary infection associated with the bite, which may result from the spider's propensity for feeding on dead arthropods. Typically, the bite results in redness and some swelling, similar to a bee or wasp sting. |
Identification notes
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | epigyne |
| Male | Palp |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Trachelidae
- Genus
- Trachelas
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species prefers warm and dry habitats. It can be found inside rolled leaves, on fences, under stones and boards, and will frequently enter houses by accident in the autumn
Geographic Range
This spider ranges from New England south to Georgia and Alabama and west to Kansas and Minnesota.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females will deposit a white egg sac containing about 30 to 50 eggs in September or October.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin: "quiet, calm, tranquil"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Trachelas tranquillus. 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 Trachelas tranquillus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Chris Wirth , Christopher Hunt , Chuck Entz , jsloan , Mandy Howe , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Trachelas tranquillus
What is Trachelas tranquillus?
Trachelas tranquillus is a species in the family Trachelidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Trachelas tranquillus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | epigyne |
| Male | Palp |
Where is Trachelas tranquillus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species prefers warm and dry habitats. It can be found inside rolled leaves, on fences, under stones and boards, and will frequently enter houses by accident in the autumn |
| Range | This spider ranges from New England south to Georgia and Alabama and west to Kansas and Minnesota. |
What is the life cycle of a Trachelas tranquillus?
Females will deposit a white egg sac containing about 30 to 50 eggs in September or October.