Walckenaeria exigua
This record describes Walckenaeria exigua (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange-brown to chestnut brown, often slightly darkened anteriorly. The male has a small horn. |
| Abdomen | gray to black Palp Males of Walckenaeria minuta are easily mistaken for males of this species; Millidge even said Emerton himself mistook the two, and that many of the specimens labelled W. minuta in the museum collections are [were?] W. exigua . Genitalia of the females are very similar, but not as difficult to separate using the information in the literature (size of posterior plate, etc). --MH |
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
Published records list sphagnum, on dunes, in fields or grass, in leaf litter, and in woods.
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, MA, ME, MI, MT, NH, NY, PA,TN, WA, WI
Seasonal Activity
Adults are likely to be found year-round.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Walckenaeria exigua. 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 exigua (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria exigua
What is Walckenaeria exigua?
Walckenaeria exigua is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria exigua?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.35-1.75mm |
| Female | 1.55-1.75mm |
How do you identify Walckenaeria exigua?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange-brown to chestnut brown, often slightly darkened anteriorly. The male has a small horn. |
| Abdomen | gray to black Palp |
Where is Walckenaeria exigua found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Published records list sphagnum, on dunes, in fields or grass, in leaf litter, and in woods. |
| Range | According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PQ, SK, YT; AK, MA, ME, MI, MT, NH, NY, PA,TN, WA, WI |
When is Walckenaeria exigua active?
Walckenaeria exigua: seasonal activity - Adults are likely to be found year-round..