Wall spiders

Oecobius

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oecobius: //iːˈkoʊbiəs//

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

Images

Oecobius annulipes by Mike. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Oecobius cellariorum by Derek Sikes, University of Alaska Museum. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Oecobius maculatus femelle face ventrale by Skithéo. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Oecobius maculatus epigyne grossie 80x by Skithéo. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Oecobius maculatus femelle face dorsale by Skithéo. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Stucco spider 02 by Kamran Iftikhar (Kamranki at en.wikipedia; kamranki@gmail.com). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

Oecobius is a genus of wall spiders primarily found in human habitats, characterized by their ability to create small flat webs and their unique method of feeding through entangling prey with non-adhesive silk.

Physical Characteristics

Very small spiders that make flat webs on walls and similar surfaces; cribellate spiders producing silk in a bundle of fine parallel fibers without adhesive.

Identification Tips

Look for small spiders resting under flat webs in crevices of walls and similar areas.

Habitat

Houses, stucco walls, under bark on trees, grape vines, and rocks.

Distribution

Various species found in the USA, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to specific regions.

Diet

Primarily ants and other small insects.

Life Cycle

Details on the life cycle are not specified; generally involves egg-laying, hatching, and development into adult spiders with silk-producing capability.

Reproduction

Spiders demonstrate silk-bundling behavior for prey capture; details about mating or specific reproductive strategies are not provided.

Predators

Natural enemies include larger spiders, insects, and birds; specifics are not detailed.

Ecosystem Role

Predators of small insects, thus contributing to pest control in the ecosystem.

Collecting Methods

  • Observation in habitats like homes and gardens
  • Capture using a fine mesh for spider collection

Preservation Methods

  • Pinning the specimens
  • Freezing to preserve specimens for study

Evolution

Believed to have originated from a common ancestor with ecological adaptations to human environments due to their synanthropic nature.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Misunderstood as harmful; however, they are generally harmless to humans.

Tags

  • Oecobius
  • Wall spiders
  • Arachnology
  • Spiders
  • Oecobiidae