Zygiella dispar
This record describes Zygiella dispar (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
For the northwest: Which species can't be told from color alone. Z. x-notata and Z. atrica occur in urbanized habitats, the former on buildings and the latter on trees. Z. dispar is found in natural forest. …Rod Crawford, 15 June, 2008
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Alaska to California, on or near the west coast.
Seasonal Activity
June to September
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Zygiella dispar. 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 Zygiella dispar (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Lynette Elliott , cheins , Laura P.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zygiella dispar
What is Zygiella dispar?
Zygiella dispar is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Zygiella dispar found?
Range: Southern Alaska to California, on or near the west coast.
When is Zygiella dispar active?
Zygiella dispar: seasonal activity - June to September.