Dictynidae

Common name

Mesh web weavers

Overview

Dictynidae is a family of cribellate spiders known for producing fine, woolly silk that they use to fashion their characteristic mesh-like webs. This family contains a diverse group of spiders found worldwide, with more than 560 described species.

Taxonomy

  • Order: Araneae
  • Infraorder: Araneomorphae
  • Superfamily: Dictynoidea
  • Family: Dictynidae

Key Characteristics

  • Size: Typically small spiders, ranging from 1 to 7 mm in size.
  • Webs: Produce cribellate silk, resulting in sticky, woolly threads.
  • Habitat: Found in a variety of environments, including shrubs, grasses, leaf litter, and crevices in rocks and buildings.
  • Appearance: Have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows. Often brown or grey with varying patterns on their bodies.

Life Cycle

  • Eggs: Laid in silk sacs, often in protected locations.
  • Spiderlings: Hatch from eggs and disperse via ballooning.
  • Adults: Reach maturity after several molts. Females are typically larger than males.

Behavior and Ecology

  • Web Construction: Construct irregular, small, sheet-like webs with a retreat area.
  • Hunting and Feeding: Capture prey that gets entangled in their cribellate silk.
  • Shelter: Often create webbing in secure spots to protect themselves from predators and environmental factors.

Notable Species

  • Dictyna arundinacea: One of the most widespread species in the family, often found in shrubs and tall grasses.
  • Dictyna major: Recognizable by their distinctive silk-lined retreats.

Conservation

Dictynidae are generally not of significant conservation concern. However, habitat destruction can impact specific local populations.

Significance to Humans

  • Biological Control: Their behavior as predators of small insects might contribute to managing pest populations.
  • Observation and Study: Often subjects in studies of web construction and silk properties.

Fun Facts

  • Dictynids are cribellate spiders, meaning they have a specialized spinning organ, the cribellum, to produce woolly silk.
  • Some species of Dictynidae can coexist in close proximity, forming semi-social communities.
  • These spiders frequently recycle their silk by consuming it and using the protein to build new webs.
  • Dictynidae spiders do not rely on venom to subdue their prey, unlike many other spider families.
  • The name "Dictyna" is derived from the Greek word for "net," reflecting their distinctive web structures.