Sac Spiders
Clubionidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Clubionidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Clubionidae: /kluːˈbaɪ.ə.nɪˌdiː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
The family Clubionidae, known as sac spiders, includes the genera Clubiona and Elaver in North America. These spiders are characterized by their eight eyes, conical spinnerets, and their habit of constructing silk retreats. Historically, this family had a confusing classification, previously incorporating various unrelated taxa.
Physical Characteristics
Eight eyes arranged in two rows and conical anterior spinnerets that touch.
Identification Tips
Look for wandering predators that build silken retreats or sacs, usually found on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark, or under rocks.
Habitat
Found in various habitats, including forests and grasslands, often in leaf litter or on vegetation.
Distribution
Widespread in the USA and Canada (Clubiona); distributed in Eastern USA and extreme southeastern Canada west to Montana and Arizona (Elaver).
Diet
Primarily predatory, feeding on small insects and other arthropods.
Ecosystem Role
Play a role in controlling insect populations as predators.
Evolution
Once a catch-all taxon, Clubionidae has a complex taxonomic history with many genera transferred to other families.
Similar Taxa
- Anyphaenidae
- Corinnidae
- Liocranidae
- Miturgidae
- Zorocratidae
Misconceptions
The term 'sac spider' can refer to members of other families, not just Clubionidae.
Tags
- Clubionidae
- sac spiders
- Clubiona
- Elaver