Cribellate Orb Weavers

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Uloboridae: /ˌjuːloʊˈbɒrɪdiː/

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Summary

Uloboridae, also known as cribellate orb weavers or hackled orb weavers, are a family of non-venomous spiders that utilize cribellate silk for capturing prey. Their unique hunting techniques and social behaviors, along with the variety of eye arrangements, make them distinct among spiders.

Physical Characteristics

Medium to large spiders, with three claws and a humped opisthosoma, which is more humped than the carapace. They are usually dull in color, aiding in camouflage, and exhibit a variety of eye arrangements, including a strongly recurved rear eye row in some species.

Identification Tips

Look for their unique hunting method: lack of adhesive on webs, use of cribellate silk to ensnare prey, and presence of a humped abdomen.

Habitat

These spiders are found in a variety of habitats around the world, often in vegetation where they can build their webs.

Distribution

Almost worldwide distribution, with species such as Uloborus walckenaerius and Hyptiotes paradoxus found in Northern Europe, and Uloborus glomosus in southern Ontario in North America.

Diet

They feed on insects, employing a method where prey is silk-wrapped and covered with regurgitated digestive juices.

Ecosystem Role

These spiders play a role in controlling insect populations, as they are predators of various insect species.

Health Concerns

These spiders are non-venomous, posing no threat to human health.

Collecting Methods

• Hand collecting
• Sweep netting
• Light trapping

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol preservation
• Pinning specimens

Evolution

Lack of venom glands is a secondarily evolved trait within this family, which distinguishes them from most other spider families.

Misconceptions

Due to their non-venomous nature, some may mistakenly assume they are harmless or ineffective as predators, yet they employ unique hunting and feeding methods.

Tags

• Uloboridae
• spiders
• non-venomous
• cribellate
• hunting behavior