Walckenaeria palustris
This record describes Walckenaeria palustris (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | brown, with dusky markings and margins . The male lobe is constricted behind the fork. |
| Abdomen | gray-black. |
| Legs | brown to orange-brown. 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
Habitat
"Habitats recorded are sphagnum bog, meadow, prairie grass, and amongst pines on sand dunes."
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --MB, NB, NF, ON, PQ, SK; IL, OH
Seasonal Activity
Adults from May to July.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Walckenaeria palustris. 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 palustris (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chad Heins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria palustris
What is Walckenaeria palustris?
Walckenaeria palustris is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria palustris?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.45-1.55mm |
| Female | 1.55-1.75mm |
How do you identify Walckenaeria palustris?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Carapace | brown, with dusky markings and margins . The male lobe is constricted behind the fork. |
| Abdomen | gray-black. |
| Legs | brown to orange-brown. Epigynum |
Where is Walckenaeria palustris found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitats recorded are sphagnum bog, meadow, prairie grass, and amongst pines on sand dunes. |
| Range | According to the American Arachnological Society --MB, NB, NF, ON, PQ, SK; IL, OH |
When is Walckenaeria palustris active?
Walckenaeria palustris: seasonal activity - Adults from May to July..