Walckenaeria pallida
This record describes Walckenaeria pallida (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange-red, suffused anteriorly with chestnut brown or black to give a striking contrast . In the male the carapace is elevated anteriorly, the form of the elevation being somewhat variable; the elevation has a dense covering of trifurcate and simple hairs. |
| Abdomen | white or grey-white, darkened posteriorly around the spinnerets. |
Wikipedia reference for Walckenaeria pallida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walckenaeria_pallida.
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 woods, in soil and on low vegetation"
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PQ; CT, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, RI, VA, VT, 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 pallida. 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 pallida (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria pallida
What is Walckenaeria pallida?
Walckenaeria pallida is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria pallida?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 2.2-2.3mm |
| Female | 2.3-2.65mm |
How do you identify Walckenaeria pallida?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | orange-red, suffused anteriorly with chestnut brown or black to give a striking contrast . In the male the carapace is elevated anteriorly, the form of the elevation being somewhat variable; the elevation has a dense covering of trifurcate and simple hairs. |
| Abdomen | white or grey-white, darkened posteriorly around the spinnerets. |
Where is Walckenaeria pallida found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitats recorded are in woods, in soil and on low vegetation |
| Range | According to the American Arachnological Society --MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PQ; CT, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, RI, VA, VT, WI |
When is Walckenaeria pallida active?
Walckenaeria pallida: seasonal activity - Adults are likely to be found year-round..