Theridion albidum

Banks, 1895

White Long-legged Cobweaver

Theridion albidum is a of cobweb in the Theridiidae, first described by Banks in 1895. It is to North America and has been documented in the United States and Canada. As a member of the Theridion, it belongs to a large and diverse group of -footed spiders that construct irregular, three-dimensional webs. The species is known by the " Long-legged Cobweaver," though detailed information remains limited in published sources.

Theridion albidum m1 by Gergin Blagoev. Used under a CC0 license.Theridion albidum by Gergin Blagoev 2010, Unspecified. Used under a CC0 license.Theridion albidum m2 by Gergin Blagoev. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Theridion albidum: //θɛˈrɪdi.ən ælˈbaɪdəm//

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Identification

Members of Theridion can be challenging to distinguish from one another without close examination. Theridion albidum is characterized by its pale coloration, as suggested by the specific epithet "albidum" (meaning whitish). The " Long-legged Cobweaver" indicates relatively elongated legs compared to body size. Accurate identification to level typically requires examination of under magnification and comparison with described specimens.

Images

Distribution

United States and Canada; North America.

Ecological Role

As a cobweb , Theridion albidum likely functions as a of small , contributing to local through its web-based hunting strategy.

Similar Taxa

  • Parasteatoda tepidariorumAlso a theridiid cobweb found in North human habitations, but differs in being strongly associated with buildings and having a more distribution linked to human commerce. Theridion albidum appears more restricted to natural or less disturbed .
  • Other Theridion speciesNumerous exist in North America, many requiring genitalic examination for reliable separation. T. albidum may be distinguished by its pale coloration and leg proportions where these traits are consistent.

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Sources and further reading