Hypsosinga pygmaea

(Sundevall, 1831)

spotted false pajama spider, small orbweaver

Hypsosinga pygmaea is a small -weaving in the Araneidae, commonly known as the spotted false pajama spider or small orbweaver. It constructs complete orb webs and is frequently collected by sweep-netting grasses and herbs. The has a remarkably wide distribution across the Northern Hemisphere and has been to South Africa, where it occupies grassland and savanna .

Hypsosinga pygmaea by (c) Mike Kerry, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mike Kerry. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hypsosinga pygmaea female by Leon Becker. Used under a Public domain license.

Common Spiders U.S. 436 Hypsosinga pygmaea by James Henry Emerton (1847 – 1931). Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypsosinga pygmaea: //ˌhɪp.soʊˈsɪŋ.ɡə pɪɡˈmiː.ə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Occupies grassland and savanna . Constructs webs, sometimes with a retreat. Most commonly sampled by sweep-netting grasses and herbs.

Distribution

to North America, Europe, Turkey, Israel, Caucasus, Russia (extending from Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. to South Africa, where it has been recorded in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces at elevations from 47 to 1,471 meters above sea level. Specific South African localities include Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Nelspruit, Irene, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve, and Ndumo Game Reserve.

Behavior

Constructs complete webs, probably sometimes with a retreat. Males and females both known.

More Details

Conservation status

Listed as Least Concern by the South African National Institute due to its wide global range. Protected in several South African reserves including Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve, Ndumo Game Reserve, and Blouberg Nature Reserve. No actions recommended.

Subspecies

Three recognized: H. p. pygmaea (Sundevall, 1831), H. p. nigra (Simon, 1909), and H. p. nigriceps (Kulczynski, 1903).

Taxonomic notes

known from both sexes. First described by Sundevall in 1831.