Walckenaeria occidentalis
This record describes Walckenaeria occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange brown, with dusky markings . The lobe in males is constricted in front of the eyes. |
| Abdomen | black Palp Epigynum |
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
Geographic Range
The American Arachnological Society indicates that published ranges include only Montana, but Millidge indicates this species is found in southern California and BugGuide records indicate it is found in Oregon as well.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Walckenaeria occidentalis. 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 occidentalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chad Heins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria occidentalis
What is Walckenaeria occidentalis?
Walckenaeria occidentalis is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria occidentalis?
Male 1.95mm Female 2.4mm
How do you identify Walckenaeria occidentalis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange brown, with dusky markings . The lobe in males is constricted in front of the eyes. |
| Abdomen | black Palp Epigynum |
Where is Walckenaeria occidentalis found?
Range: The American Arachnological Society indicates that published ranges include only Montana, but Millidge indicates this species is found in southern California and BugGuide records indicate it is found in Oregon as well.