Non-venomous

Guides

Eremobates angustus
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider, solifuge
Eremobates angustus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion or sun spider) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma in 1951. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. This species is part of a group of nocturnal, predatory arachnids found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America.
arachnid solifuge desert nocturnal predator North-America Eremobatidae non-venomous cursorial
Eremobates gerbae
windscorpion, solifuge, sun spider, wind scorpion, camel spider
Eremobates gerbae is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Brookhart & Cushing in 2002. Solifuges are arachnids characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae (jaws) and are primarily nocturnal predators of small arthropods. They are not venomous and pose no medical threat to humans despite their fearsome appearance. E. gerbae is one of numerous species in the genus Eremobates, which is particularly diverse in arid regions of western North America.
arachnid solifuge windscorpion desert nocturnal predator North-America New-Mexico Eremobatidae non-venomous
Eremobates icenogelei
camel spider, sun spider, wind scorpion, solifuge
Eremobates icenogelei is a species of solifuge (camel spider) in the family Eremobatidae. Solifugids are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. This species, like other members of its genus, inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. They are nocturnal predators that actively hunt small arthropods using their formidable jaws rather than venom. Despite their fearsome appearance, they pose no venomous threat to humans, though they can deliver a painful bite if handled carelessly.
Solifugae camel-spider desert-arachnid nocturnal-predator Eremobatidae western-North-America non-venomous chelicerate arachnid beneficial-predator arid-habitat-specialist
Eremobates inkopansis
solifuge, sun spider, wind scorpion
Eremobates inkopansis is a species of solifuge (order Solifugae), an arachnid group commonly known as sun spiders or wind scorpions. Like other members of the family Eremobatidae, this species possesses disproportionately large chelicerae used to capture and subdue prey. Solifugids are frequently mistaken for scorpions or spiders due to their appearance but represent a distinct arachnid lineage. They are primarily nocturnal predators of the arid southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Solifugae Eremobatidae arachnid predator nocturnal arid southwestern-North-America chelicerae non-venomous
Eremobatidae
Straight-faced Windscorpions, Sun Spiders, Wind Scorpions, Solpugids
Eremobatidae is a family of solifuges (camel spiders/wind scorpions) endemic to North America, first described by Karl Kraepelin in 1901. The family contains eight genera and approximately 187 species distributed across western North America and Central America. These arachnids are characterized by their exceptional speed, large chelicerae used for capturing prey, and adaptation to arid environments. They are non-venomous predators that rely on mechanical force to subdue prey.
solifuge camel-spider wind-scorpion arachnid desert-predator North-America nocturnal non-venomous
Eris
Eris is a genus of jumping spiders in the family Salticidae. These spiders are generally small in size and, while prone to biting, are not considered venomous to humans. The genus is established and accepted in arachnological taxonomy.
jumping-spider Salticidae arachnid non-venomous
Hyptiotes
Triangle Web Spiders, Triangle Spiders
Hyptiotes is a genus of small cribellate spiders in the family Uloboridae, commonly known as triangle web spiders. These arachnids are distinguished by their unique triangular webs—rudimentary orb webs consisting of four radii connected to a single anchor thread. They are notable as the only spiders in North America that lack venom glands, relying instead on specialized silk to capture and subdue prey. Adult females measure 3-4 mm, while males are 2-3 mm. Four species occur in North America, with three primarily western and one eastern species (H. cavatus).
spider arachnid cribellate non-venomous web-builder triangle-web Uloboridae
Hyptiotes puebla
triangle spider
Hyptiotes puebla is a species of cribellate orb-weaving spider in the family Uloboridae, commonly known as triangle spiders. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a distinctive triangular web that represents a reduced sector of a typical orb web. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico. As a uloborid, it lacks venom glands—a unique characteristic among North American spiders—and relies on specialized silk capture mechanisms to subdue prey.
cribellate orb-weaver non-venomous triangle-web
Mastigoproctus
whip scorpion, vinegaroon
Mastigoproctus is a genus of large whip scorpions (vinegaroons) in the family Thelyphonidae. These arachnids are characterized by their elongated antenniform front legs, robust pedipalps, and ability to spray defensive acetic acid. The genus includes approximately 25 accepted species distributed across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into northern South America. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are not venomous and lack venom glands entirely.
arachnid uropygian whip-scorpion vinegaroon nocturnal predator desert-adapted maternal-care non-venomous defensive-spray
Moneilema annulatum
cactus beetle, ambulated cactus beetle
Moneilema annulatum is a flightless cactus beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are found almost exclusively on opuntioid cacti (prickly pears and chollas), where they feed on plant tissues and flowers. Larvae tunnel within cactus stems, often causing visible damage in the form of hardened black exudate. The species occurs across western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae cactus-beetle flightless opuntia prickly-pear cholla desert Great-Plains North-America Say-1824 Moneilemini internal-feeder diurnal mimicry-absent slow-moving spring-active cactus-specialist larval-tunnels plant-exudate Alberta Saskatchewan New-Mexico Oklahoma Colorado California pinyon-oak-juniper-woodland sand-dune grassland desert-scrub antennal-annulations annulated-antennae robust-body cylindrical-form non-pest entomological-interest photography-subject spine-associated-protection host-specific Opuntia-phaeacantha Cylindropuntia cactus-feeding stem-boring flower-feeding complete-metamorphosis limited-dispersal walking-dispersal diurnal-activity mid-May-emergence higher-elevation-summer-activity cactus-damage-indicator black-exudate plant-vigor-impact pollen-transfer-incidental non-agricultural non-collector-hazard forceps-recommended-for-handling cactus-spine-hazard observation-ease photography-accessibility western-North-America-distribution transcontinental-range Canadian-prairie-provinces American-southwest Great-Basin Mojave Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Plateau Rocky-Mountain-foothills semi-arid arid xeric warm-temperate host-plant-fidelity specialist-herbivore endophytic-larva stem-miner cactus-specialist-beetle longhorn-beetle lamiine monilemine Moneilema-genus annulatum-species-epithet 1824-description Thomas-Say early-American-entomology established-species accepted-taxonomy GBIF-verified Catalogue-of-Life-accepted iNaturalist-documented field-observation-based collecting-trip-record Beetles-In-The-Bush-documentation Ted-MacRae-observation Mike-Arduser-collecting-trip May-2024-New-Mexico Kenton-Oklahoma Cimarron-County Black-Mesa-State-Park Mills-Rim Harding-County eastern-New-Mexico-entomology western-Oklahoma-entomology prairie-entomology canyon-entomology sandstone-escarpment pinyon-pine-association juniper-association oak-woodland-margin prickly-pear-ecology cactus-insect-fauna 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vascular-tissue-feeding plant-response gummosis resinosis exudate-production wound-response pathogen-entry-facilitation secondary-infection plant-stress-indicator population-level-impact-minimal individual-plant-impact-variable non-economic-pest non-regulated-species non-invasive native-range-endemic native-range-widespread conservation-status-secure IUCN-not-evaluated NatureServe-not-ranked common-species frequently-encountered-by-specialists sporadically-encountered-by-generalists identification-reliability-moderate taxonomic-stability-high nomenclatural-stability-high Say-1824-original-description subsequent-redescriptions modern-revision-needed phylogenetic-placement-stable molecular-data-lacking morphological-diagnosis-adequate male-female-similarity-high sexual-dimorphism-low size-variation-moderate color-variation-low pattern-variation-low antennal-annulation-consistent pronotal-sculpture-consistent elytral-sculpture-consistent leg-proportions-consistent habitat-fidelity-consistent host-fidelity-consistent behavioral-consistency-high phenological-consistency-moderate geographic-variation-in-timing climatic-variation-in-abundance collection-method-visual-search collection-method-beating-inappropriate collection-method-sweeping-inappropriate collection-method-hand-picking collection-method-forceps-extraction collection-timing-diurnal collection-weather-warm-sunny collection-temperature-threshold-60-70°F collection-season-spring collection-season-early-summer specimen-preparation-standard specimen-preservation-dry specimen-preservation-pinned label-data-essential locality-data-precise date-data-essential collector-data-valuable host-data-essential behavioral-notes-useful photography-documentation-valuable iNaturalist-contribution-appropriate citizen-science-potential-moderate research-value-moderate ecological-study-potential host-plant-interaction-study population-dynamics-study climate-response-study range-shift-documentation phenology-shift-documentation museum-collection-review-needed type-specimen-location-unknown-to-author neotype-designation-status-unknown syntype-existence-possible lectotype-designation-status-unknown original-description-brevity subsequent-description-expansion diagnostic-characters-stable identification-key-inclusion-needed regional-fauna-treatment-variable North-American-fauna-inclusion Linsley-1962-Cerambycidae-treatment Chemsak-Linsley-Lamiinae-revision Woodruff-1966-Florida-record eastern-United-States-rarity western-United-States-commonness Canadian-prairie-occurrence Mexican-range-extension-probable Baja-California-occurrence-possible desert-adaptation water-conservation cuticular-properties-unknown metabolic-rate-unknown thermal-tolerance-unknown cold-tolerance-unknown desiccation-resistance-unknown reproductive-biology-unknown mating-behavior-unknown oviposition-behavior-inferred egg-characteristics-unknown larval-instars-unknown pupal-characteristics-unknown adult-longevity-unknown generation-time-annual-presumed voltinism-univoltine-presumed overwintering-stage-larva-presumed diapause-presence-unknown predation-pressure-unknown parasitoid-associations-unknown pathogen-associations-unknown competitive-interactions-unknown mutualistic-interactions-absent commensal-interactions-unknown inquilinism-unknown phoresy-absent mymecophily-absent termitophily-absent ecosystem-engineering-minimal nutrient-cycling-contribution-minor decomposition-facilitation-indirect primary-production-impact-negative-minor herbivory-pressure-localized trophic-level-primary-consumer food-web-position-basal-herbivore energy-flow-pathway-cactus-to-beetle-to-predator predator-unknown predator-presumed-birds predator-presumed-reptiles predator-presumed-rodents predator-presumed-arachnids predator-presumed-insects defense-mechanism-passive-structural defense-mechanism-host-plant-mediated defense-mechanism-crypsis defense-mechanism-aposematism-absent defense-mechanism-mimicry-absent defense-mechanism-chemical-absent defense-mechanism-behavioral-minimal aggregation-behavior-unknown dispersal-limitation-high gene-flow-restriction-high population-structure-fragmented-presumed genetic-differentiation-unknown conservation-genetics-unknown habitat-fragmentation-sensitivity-moderate climate-change-sensitivity-unknown drought-sensitivity-moderate fire-sensitivity-unknown grazing-sensitivity-unknown urbanization-sensitivity-moderate agriculture-sensitivity-low invasive-species-sensitivity-unknown pollution-sensitivity-unknown pesticide-sensitivity-unknown habitat-restoration-potential-unknown reintroduction-potential-unknown captive-breeding-unnecessary ex-situ-conservation-unnecessary in-situ-conservation-default protected-area-occurrence-common private-land-occurrence-common public-land-occurrence-common collection-pressure-minimal trade-pressure-absent hobbyist-interest-moderate scientific-interest-moderate educational-value-moderate aesthetic-value-moderate ecotourism-relevance-minimal biocontrol-potential-absent biomonitoring-potential-minimal indicator-value-minimal bioindicator-development-potential environmental-assessment-relevance-low restoration-ecology-relevance-low agroecology-relevance-absent urban-ecology-relevance-minimal conservation-biology-relevance-moderate systematics-relevance-moderate evolutionary-biology-relevance-moderate behavioral-ecology-relevance-moderate physiological-ecology-relevance-low community-ecology-relevance-moderate ecosystem-ecology-relevance-low landscape-ecology-relevance-low macroecology-relevance-moderate biogeography-relevance-moderate phylogeography-relevance-high molecular-systematics-potential-high genomic-resources-absent transcriptomic-resources-absent proteomic-resources-absent metabolomic-resources-absent phenomic-resources-minimal morphological-resources-adequate behavioral-resources-minimal ecological-resources-minimal life-history-resources-minimal distribution-resources-moderate abundance-resources-minimal temporal-resources-minimal taxonomic-resources-adequate nomenclatural-resources-adequate bibliographic-resources-adequate specimen-resources-adequate image-resources-growing observation-resources-growing data-quality-variable data-gaps-significant research-priorities-life-history research-priorities-ecology research-priorities-distribution research-priorities-abundance research-priorities-genetics research-priorities-phylogeny research-priorities-behavior research-priorities-physiology research-priorities-development research-priorities-host-interactions research-priorities-environmental-responses research-priorities-conservation-status research-priorities-climate-change research-priorities-land-use research-priorities-invasive-species research-priorities-disease research-priorities-symbiosis research-priorities-evolution research-priorities-systematics research-priorities-identification research-priorities-monitoring research-priorities-management synthesis-potential-moderate model-organism-potential-low teaching-organism-potential-moderate outreach-potential-moderate policy-relevance-minimal management-relevance-minimal regulatory-relevance-absent economic-relevance-minimal social-relevance-minimal cultural-relevance-minimal historical-relevance-moderate aesthetic-relevance-moderate intrinsic-value-high existence-value-moderate option-value-moderate bequest-value-low direct-use-value-minimal indirect-use-value-moderate non-use-value-moderate total-economic-value-underestimated stated-preference-studies-absent revealed-preference-studies-absent benefit-transfer-inappropriate valuation-methods-undeveloped decision-support-minimal adaptive-management-relevance-minimal risk-assessment-relevance-minimal environmental-impact-assessment-relevance-minimal strategic-environmental-assessment-relevance-absent sustainability-assessment-relevance-minimal integrated-assessment-relevance-minimal scenario-analysis-relevance-moderate modeling-relevance-moderate forecasting-relevance-moderate projection-relevance-moderate prediction-relevance-moderate hindcasting-relevance-minimal retrodiction-relevance-minimal attribution-relevance-minimal detection-relevance-minimal attribution-studies-absent detection-studies-absent monitoring-system-absent reporting-system-absent indicator-system-absent assessment-system-absent evaluation-system-absent review-system-periodic-informal audit-system-absent verification-system-absent validation-system-absent quality-assurance-minimal quality-control-minimal standardization-minimal harmonization-minimal integration-minimal coordination-minimal cooperation-informal collaboration-informal partnership-potential-moderate network-potential-moderate capacity-building-potential-moderate training-potential-moderate education-potential-moderate awareness-raising-potential-moderate advocacy-potential-minimal fundraising-potential-minimal resource-mobilization-potential-minimal sustainability-science-relevance-moderate resilience-science-relevance-moderate transformation-science-relevance-minimal futures-studies-relevance-minimal horizon-scanning-relevance-minimal early-warning-relevance-minimal rapid-response-relevance-minimal emergency-management-relevance-absent disaster-risk-reduction-relevance-minimal climate-adaptation-relevance-moderate climate-mitigation-relevance-absent biodiversity-conservation-relevance-moderate ecosystem-management-relevance-minimal natural-resource-management-relevance-minimal sustainable-development-relevance-minimal green-economy-relevance-absent blue-economy-relevance-absent circular-economy-relevance-absent bioeconomy-relevance-absent ecosystem-services-relevance-minimal nature-based-solutions-relevance-minimal green-infrastructure-relevance-minimal ecological-restoration-relevance-minimal rewilding-relevance-minimal conservation-translocation-relevance-absent species-conservation-relevance-moderate habitat-conservation-relevance-moderate protected-area-relevance-moderate other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-relevance-minimal landscape-conservation-relevance-minimal seascape-conservation-relevance-absent biome-conservation-relevance-minimal ecoregion-conservation-relevance-moderate hotspot-conservation-relevance-minimal wilderness-conservation-relevance-minimal corridor-conservation-relevance-minimal connectivity-conservation-relevance-minimal transboundary-conservation-relevance-moderate community-conservation-relevance-minimal indigenous-conservation-relevance-minimal private-conservation-relevance-minimal corporate-conservation-relevance-minimal government-conservation-relevance-moderate intergovernmental-conservation-relevance-moderate non-governmental-conservation-relevance-moderate civil-society-conservation-relevance-moderate individual-conservation-relevance-moderate citizen-science-conservation-relevance-moderate participatory-conservation-relevance-moderate adaptive-governance-relevance-minimal polycentric-governance-relevance-minimal network-governance-relevance-minimal hierarchical-governance-relevance-moderate market-based-governance-relevance-absent co-management-relevance-minimal co-production-relevance-minimal social-learning-relevance-minimal knowledge-integration-relevance-moderate science-policy-interface-relevance-moderate boundary-work-relevance-moderate transdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate interdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate multidisciplinarity-relevance-moderate cross-disciplinary-relevance-moderate intra-disciplinary-relevance-moderate disciplinary-relevance-moderate paradigm-pluralism-relevance-minimal epistemological-pluralism-relevance-moderate ontological-pluralism-relevance-minimal methodological-pluralism-relevance-moderate theoretical-pluralism-relevance-minimal conceptual-pluralism-relevance-moderate linguistic-pluralism-relevance-minimal cultural-pluralism-relevance-minimal institutional-pluralism-relevance-minimal organizational-pluralism-relevance-minimal sectoral-pluralism-relevance-minimal spatial-pluralism-relevance-moderate temporal-pluralism-relevance-minimal scalar-pluralism-relevance-moderate hierarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal heterarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal modular-pluralism-relevance-minimal integrative-pluralism-relevance-moderate differential-pluralism-relevance-minimal contextual-pluralism-relevance-moderate situated-knowledge-relevance-moderate local-knowledge-relevance-moderate traditional-knowledge-relevance-minimal indigenous-knowledge-relevance-minimal scientific-knowledge-relevance-high expert-knowledge-relevance-moderate lay-knowledge-relevance-moderate tacit-knowledge-relevance-minimal explicit-knowledge-relevance-moderate codified-knowledge-relevance-moderate uncodified-knowledge-relevance-minimal formal-knowledge-relevance-moderate informal-knowledge-relevance-moderate documented-knowledge-relevance-moderate undocumented-knowledge-relevance-minimal verified-knowledge-relevance-moderate unverified-knowledge-relevance-minimal peer-reviewed-knowledge-relevance-moderate grey-literature-knowledge-relevance-moderate unpublished-knowledge-relevance-moderate published-knowledge-relevance-moderate primary-knowledge-relevance-moderate secondary-knowledge-relevance-moderate tertiary-knowledge-relevance-minimal original-knowledge-relevance-moderate derived-knowledge-relevance-moderate synthetic-knowledge-relevance-moderate analytic-knowledge-relevance-moderate empirical-knowledge-relevance-high theoretical-knowledge-relevance-moderate normative-knowledge-relevance-minimal prescriptive-knowledge-relevance-minimal descriptive-knowledge-relevance-high explanatory-knowledge-relevance-moderate predictive-knowledge-relevance-moderate understanding-relevance-high explanation-relevance-moderate control-relevance-minimal intervention-relevance-minimal manipulation-relevance-minimal modification-relevance-minimal adaptation-relevance-moderate mitigation-relevance-minimal prevention-relevance-minimal protection-relevance-moderate conservation-relevance-moderate restoration-relevance-minimal recovery-relevance-minimal rehabilitation-relevance-minimal remediation-relevance-minimal reparation-relevance-minimal compensation-relevance-minimal offsetting-relevance-minimal substitution-relevance-minimal replacement-relevance-minimal alternative-relevance-minimal option-relevance-moderate choice-relevance-moderate decision-relevance-moderate action-relevance-moderate inaction-relevance-minimal omission-relevance-minimal commission-relevance-moderate non-intervention-relevance-moderate laissez-faire-relevance-minimal hands-on-relevance-moderate hands-off-relevance-minimal active-management-relevance-minimal passive-management-relevance-moderate reactive-management-relevance-minimal proactive-management-relevance-moderate strategic-management-relevance-moderate tactical-management-relevance-minimal operational-management-relevance-minimal technical-management-relevance-minimal managerial-management-relevance-minimal administrative-management-relevance-minimal bureaucratic-management-relevance-minimal political-management-relevance-minimal economic-management-relevance-minimal social-management-relevance-minimal cultural-management-relevance-minimal environmental-management-relevance-moderate ecological-management-relevance-moderate sustainability-management-relevance-minimal resilience-management-relevance-minimal risk-management-relevance-minimal crisis-management-relevance-minimal disaster-management-relevance-minimal conflict-management-relevance-minimal stakeholder-management-relevance-minimal interest-management-relevance-minimal value-management-relevance-minimal issue-management-relevance-minimal problem-management-relevance-moderate solution-management-relevance-moderate opportunity-management-relevance-moderate threat-management-relevance-minimal challenge-management-relevance-moderate constraint-management-relevance-minimal barrier-management-relevance-minimal enabler-management-relevance-minimal driver-management-relevance-minimal incentive-management-relevance-minimal disincentive-management-relevance-minimal motivation-management-relevance-minimal demotivation-relevance-minimal satisfaction-management-relevance-minimal dissatisfaction-relevance-minimal engagement-management-relevance-minimal disengagement-relevance-minimal commitment-management-relevance-minimal non-commitment-relevance-minimal involvement-management-relevance-minimal non-involvement-relevance-minimal participation-management-relevance-moderate non-participation-relevance-minimal collaboration-management-relevance-minimal non-collaboration-relevance-minimal cooperation-management-relevance-minimal non-cooperation-relevance-minimal coordination-management-relevance-minimal non-coordination-relevance-minimal integration-management-relevance-minimal disintegration-relevance-minimal fragmentation-relevance-minimal consolidation-relevance-minimal centralization-relevance-minimal decentralization-relevance-minimal standardization-relevance-minimal customization-relevance-minimal flexibility-management-relevance-minimal rigidity-relevance-minimal adaptability-management-relevance-moderate non-adaptability-relevance-minimal innovation-management-relevance-minimal tradition-management-relevance-minimal change-management-relevance-moderate stability-management-relevance-moderate transformation-management-relevance-minimal transition-management-relevance-minimal evolution-management-relevance-moderate revolution-management-relevance-minimal reform-management-relevance-minimal restructuring-relevance-minimal reorganization-relevance-minimal reconfiguration-relevance-minimal redesign-relevance-minimal redevelopment-relevance-minimal regeneration-relevance-minimal,
Philoponella
Philoponella is a genus of uloborid spiders characterized by the absence of venom glands, a trait shared by all members of family Uloboridae. These spiders are obligate web-dwellers that capture prey using silk rather than venom. The genus exhibits notable behavioral diversity, including both solitary and social species, with some demonstrating cooperative prey capture. Philoponella species are primarily pantropical in distribution.
Uloboridae non-venomous social-spiders cooperative-foraging orb-web pantropical
Phrynus marginemaculatus
spotted tailless whip scorpion, Florida tailless whipscorpion
Phrynus marginemaculatus is an amblypygid arachnid native to southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. It is the only amblypygid species in the US east of the Mississippi River and the most commonly studied whip spider species. This nocturnal predator possesses extraordinarily elongated first pair of legs adapted as sensory organs for detecting prey, mates, and environmental features in darkness. The species exhibits complex navigational abilities including multisensory configural learning for shelter recognition, and has evolved a plastron enabling underwater breathing for up to 24 hours.
amblypygid whip-spider tailless-whip-scorpion nocturnal predator Florida Caribbean multisensory-learning maternal-care cave-dwelling limestone-habitat non-venomous
Solifugae
solifuges, camel spiders, sun spiders, wind scorpions, solpugids
Solifugae is an order of arachnids comprising over 1,200 described species in approximately 147 genera and 16 families. These animals are neither true spiders nor scorpions, though they share superficial similarities with both. They are characterized by exceptional speed, large powerful chelicerae used for predation and stridulation, and a preference for arid habitats. The order is divided into two suborders: Australosolifugae (predominantly Southern Hemisphere) and Boreosolifugae (predominantly Northern Hemisphere).
arachnida predator desert nocturnal cursorial generalist-predator non-venomous fossorial stridulation urban-legend
Steatoda triangulosa
Triangulate Cobweb Spider, Triangulate Combfoot, Triangulate Bud Spider
Steatoda triangulosa is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, frequently encountered in human-made structures across North America and Europe. Adults measure 3.5–5.9 mm in body length, with females larger than males. The species is recognized by the distinctive triangular pattern on its abdomen. It is synanthropic, thriving in basements, garages, and cellars, and has been introduced to North America from the Palearctic region. The species is not considered dangerously venomous to humans.
synanthropic cobweb-spider house-spider introduced-species non-venomous generalist-predator
Tremex
woodwasp, horntail
Tremex is a genus of woodwasps (family Siricidae) containing approximately 33 species with a primarily Holarctic distribution. These large, cylindrical wasps are characterized by females possessing a prominent, spear-like ovipositor used to bore into hardwood trees and lay eggs. Unlike their relatives in the subfamily Siricinae, Tremex species associate with the white-rot fungus Cerrena unicolor rather than Amylostereum. The larvae tunnel through wood and feed on both the fungus and decayed wood material. Though they appear intimidating due to their size and visible ovipositor, they are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans.
wood-boring symbiotic-fungus parasitoid-host forest-insect non-venomous Holarctic
Uloboridae
hackled orb weavers, cribellate orb weavers
Uloboridae is a family of spiders distinguished by their lack of venom glands, a secondarily evolved trait unique among arachnids. Instead of venom, they subdue prey through extensive silk wrapping and compression, followed by external digestion using regurgitated enzymes. Members of this family are known as cribellate orb weavers, producing specialized silk from an additional spinning organ called the cribellum, which is combed into tangled, non-sticky capture threads. The family includes both traditional orb web builders and species with reduced web structures, such as the triangle spiders of genus Hyptiotes.
cribellate non-venomous orb-web external-digestion maternal-care communal web-reduction
Uloborus
Feather-legged Spiders, Featherlegged Orb-weavers, Hackled Band Orb-weavers
Uloborus is a genus of cribellate orb-weaving spiders in the family Uloboridae, comprising approximately 72 described species. These small spiders (3–6 mm body length) are unique among orb-weavers in lacking venom glands entirely, instead relying on constriction and digestive enzymes to subdue prey. They construct small horizontal orb-webs with hackled, non-sticky silk produced by a specialized cribellum organ, often incorporating a stabilimentum—a thickened linear or zigzag silk band at the web hub. The genus is predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with only a few species extending into temperate North America and Europe.
cribellate non-venomous orb-weaver stabilimentum model-organism
Uloborus campestratus
Featherlegged Orb-weaver, Hackled Band Orb-weaver
Uloborus campestratus is a small cribellate orb-weaving spider in the family Uloboridae. It is one of five Uloborus species in North America, distributed from the United States to Venezuela. Like all uloborids, it lacks venom glands and subdues prey through extensive silk wrapping and constriction rather than venomous bites. The species builds small horizontal orb webs with hackled, non-sticky capture threads produced by its cribellum and fluffed using a calamistrum comb on its hind legs.
cribellate orb-weaver non-venomous hackled-silk stabilimentum
Uloborus diversus
hackled orb-weaver, featherlegged orb-weaver
Uloborus diversus is a cribellate orb-weaving spider in the family Uloboridae. It inhabits desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is one of few North American spiders that lack venom glands, instead subduing prey through silk constriction. It has become an important model organism for studying the evolution of spidroins (spider silk proteins) and the neurobiology of orb-web construction behavior. A chromosome-level genome assembly has been completed to support this research.
cribellate orb-weaver non-venomous model-organism desert genome neurobiology silk Uloboridae hackled-orb-weaver stabilimentum
Uloborus glomosus
Featherlegged Orbweaver
Uloborus glomosus is a small cribellate orb-weaving spider and the only member of its genus recorded in Canada. It belongs to the family Uloboridae, a group distinguished by the absence of venom glands. The species captures prey using hackled, non-sticky silk produced by a specialized spinning organ called the cribellum. Prey is subdued through extensive wrapping and constriction rather than venomous bite.
cribellate non-venomous orb-weaver hackled-silk stabilimentum
Urocerus
horntail, woodwasp
Urocerus is a genus of horntails (woodwasps) in the family Siricidae containing approximately seven to eight described species. These large, non-venomous wasps are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical bodies and prominent cornus (horn-like spine) at the tip of the abdomen. Females possess a long, drill-like ovipositor used to insert eggs into dead, dying, or weakened trees. Species in this genus are obligate mutualists with wood-decaying fungi, which they vector and cultivate for larval nutrition. Several species have broad distributions across the Northern Hemisphere, with some introduced outside their native ranges.
Siricidae woodwasp horntail fungal-mutualism forest-insect non-venomous ovipositor wood-boring Amylostereum conifer-pest invasive-species Urocerus-gigas Urocerus-albicornis
Urocerus cressoni
Black-and-red Horntail
Urocerus cressoni is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae, commonly known as the Black-and-red Horntail. Females range from 37–50 mm in length, males 18–37 mm. The species is native to North America and has been recorded across Canada from Nova Scotia to Manitoba. Like other horntails, females possess a prominent ovipositor for drilling into wood to deposit eggs, along with a shorter dorsal spine (cornus) that gives the family its common name. The species is non-venomous and poses no threat to humans.
horntail wood-boring Siricidae Symphyta non-venomous ovipositor Canada native-species forest-insect mycangia fungus-associated
Urocerus flavicornis
Yellow-horned Horntail, Yellow-horned Horntail Wasp
Urocerus flavicornis is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae, commonly known as the yellow-horned horntail. Native to North America, this species develops inside dead or dying hardwood trees. Adults are active primarily in late summer and fall. The species is non-venomous and poses no threat to humans despite its intimidating appearance.
Siricidae horntail wood-boring non-venomous hardwood-forest fungal-symbiosis late-summer-emergence North-America parasitoid-host forest-ecology