Walckenaeria directa
This record describes Walckenaeria directa (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Deep chestnut brown, with dusky margins and markings. The male bears anteriorly a horn which comprises a large upper section and a small lower section separated by a cleft . The anterior hairs on the horn appear under the binocular microscope to be spatulate, but are actually trifurcate, arising from deep pits. Abdomen: gray to black. Very similar to W. communis - see literature (Emerton 1882, Kaston 1948, Hormiga 2000, etc.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Erigoninae
- Genus
- Walckenaeria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Habitats recorded are in grass, in leaf litter, in hardwood litter, amongst shrubs"
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, CO, CT, GA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been found year-round.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Walckenaeria directa (O. P.-Cambridge, 1874)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Walckenaeria directa. 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 Walckenaeria directa (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kevin Pfeiffer; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria directa
What is Walckenaeria directa?
Walckenaeria directa is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria directa?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 2.0-2.7mm |
| Female | 2.1-2.9mm |
How do you identify Walckenaeria directa?
Deep chestnut brown, with dusky margins and markings. The male bears anteriorly a horn which comprises a large upper section and a small lower section separated by a cleft . The anterior hairs on the horn appear under the binocular microscope to be spatulate, but are actually trifurcate, arising from deep pits. Abdomen: gray to black.
Where is Walckenaeria directa found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitats recorded are in grass, in leaf litter, in hardwood litter, amongst shrubs |
| Range | According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, CO, CT, GA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
When is Walckenaeria directa active?
Walckenaeria directa: seasonal activity - Adults have been found year-round..