Frontinella huachuca
Gertsch & Davis, 1946
A small sheetweb spider in the Linyphiidae, described from the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The species constructs the distinctive "bowl and doily" web architecture shared with its F. communis, consisting of an inverted bowl-shaped sheet suspended above a flat doily-like platform. Known from the southwestern United States and Mexico, with two recognized : F. h. huachuca and F. h. benevola.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Frontinella huachuca: /frɒnˈtɪnɛlə wɔˈtʃuːkə/
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Identification
Distinguished from the widespread Frontinella communis by geographic distribution; F. huachuca occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico while F. communis is broadly distributed across North America. The two are morphologically similar, both being small spiders (mature females 3–4 mm body length) with bold black and white abdominal striping, brown , and brownish legs. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalic structures or geographic confirmation of collection locality.
Habitat
Associated with oak-juniper woodland and pine woodland in mountainous regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Webs are constructed between twigs, on fences, and other elevated substrates, typically well above ground level.
Distribution
United States (Arizona and presumably adjacent southwestern states) and Mexico. The type locality is the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona.
Behavior
Constructs the characteristic "bowl and doily" web: an inverted bowl-shaped sheet suspended by tangled scaffolding above a flat doily-like platform. The spider hangs inverted beneath the bowl, awaiting prey that strikes the supporting threads and falls onto the sheet below. Prey is pulled through the bottom of the bowl and consumed on the doily platform. Webs are often found in , which may facilitate mating. Males share female webs during late summer and fall.
Similar Taxa
- Frontinella communisOverlapping web architecture and ; distinguished primarily by broader geographic distribution across North America versus southwestern US/Mexico range of F. huachuca