Sheetweb-weaver
Guides
Bathyphantes
dwarf spiders, sheetweb weavers
Bathyphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) comprising approximately 57 species distributed across the Holarctic region, with additional species in South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. These small spiders construct sheet webs and are characterized by complex male pedipalps and female epigyna used for species identification. The genus was first described by Anton Menge in 1866. At least one species, Bathyphantes simillimus, exhibits a triennial life cycle potentially adapted to cooler environments.
Bathyphantes canadensis
Canada Sheetweb Weaver
Bathyphantes canadensis is a small sheetweb weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, found across northern North America and eastern Russia. It is one of approximately 4,000 species in the sheetweb weaver family, characterized by their flat, horizontal web architecture. The species is rarely encountered by casual observers due to its small size and cryptic habits.
Bathyphantes keeni
Hump-headed Shield Sheetweaver
Bathyphantes keeni is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It occurs in Canada and the United States. The species is part of the diverse sheetweb weaver group, which constructs flat or dome-shaped webs rather than orb webs. Little specific information has been published on its biology.
Besciva
Besciva is a genus of sheetweb weavers in the family Linyphiidae. The genus is known from at least one undescribed species ('n-sp') encountered in the northern reaches of Door County, Wisconsin, USA. Sheetweb weavers in this genus construct flat, convex, or concave webs depending on the species, with spiders hanging upside down to capture prey. Mature males cease web-spinning to seek mates.
Chimoptesis n-sp
Chimoptesis n-sp is an undescribed sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, recorded from Door County, Wisconsin. The specimen was observed on June 24, 2019, during a nocturnal survey of building exteriors. Linyphiidae spiders construct flat, convex, or concave sheet webs and hang inverted beneath them to capture prey.
Diastema n-sp
Diastema n-sp is a sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, recorded from the exterior of a woodshed in northern Door County, Wisconsin during a nocturnal survey. The specimen was an unidentified male observed on June 24, 2019, in a cool, wet forested area on the shore of Lake Michigan. No further details about this particular species' biology are available from this record.
Dictyonia
Dictyonia n-sp is an undescribed species of sheetweb weaver spider (family Linyphiidae) documented from Door County, Wisconsin, USA. It was recorded during a nocturnal survey of building exteriors in a forested lakeshore habitat. As a member of Linyphiidae, it constructs a flat, sheet-like web and hunts by hanging inverted on the web surface.
Florinda
Scarlet Sheetweb Weaver, Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, Red Grass Spider
Florinda is a monotypic genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, containing only Florinda coccinea. This small spider is notable for its bright scarlet coloration with distinctive black markings, including a diagnostic black tubercle on the rear of the abdomen. The genus was established by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1896.
Florinda coccinea
Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, Scarlet Sheetweb Weaver, Red Grass Spider
Florinda coccinea is a small, vividly colored sheetweb-weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is the sole species in its genus. The spider is notable for its bright red body with black accents, particularly a distinctive black tubercle on the rear of the abdomen. Despite its striking coloration, it is rarely observed due to its minute size (3-3.5 mm body length) and the near-invisibility of its fine silk webs. The species occurs in grasslands, lawns, and agricultural fields across the southeastern United States, with records extending north to New England and west to Kansas, plus Mexico and the West Indies.
Hypselistes florens
Peatland Sheetweb Weaver
Hypselistes florens is a dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Peatland Sheetweb Weaver. It is found across northern North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species includes two subspecies: the nominate H. f. florens and H. f. bulbiceps. It is one of the more frequently observed sheetweb weavers, with substantial observational data available.
Ipnista n-sp
Ipnista n-sp is an unidentified species of sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, documented from a single male specimen observed in Door County, Wisconsin. The spider was found during a nocturnal survey of building exteriors in a forested lakeshore habitat. As an unidentified male, it represents an undescribed or unrecognized species within this diverse family of small web-building spiders.
Neriene clathrata
Latticed Sheet-web Weaver
Neriene clathrata is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Latticed Sheet-web Weaver. The species has an exceptionally wide geographic distribution spanning the Holarctic region, occurring across North America, Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, Russia (from European to Far East), China, Korea, and Japan. Despite its broad range, detailed biological information remains limited. As a member of the Linyphiidae, it constructs sheet webs rather than orb webs.
Neriene digna
Neriene digna is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, a large group commonly known as money spiders or sheetweb weavers. The species was originally described as Linyphia digna by Keyserling in 1886. It is recorded from the United States and Canada, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of the genus Neriene, it constructs flat sheet webs with a dome-shaped retreat.
Pityohyphantes
hammock spiders, pine weavers
Pityohyphantes is a genus of sheetweb weavers (family Linyphiidae) commonly known as hammock spiders, named for their slightly convex sheet-like webs suspended by a maze of threads above. The genus name derives from Greek 'pitys' (pine) and 'hyphantes' (weaver), reflecting their frequent association with coniferous forests. Mature females measure approximately 5–7 mm in body length, with males slightly smaller. The genus contains at least 16 species distributed across Europe and North America, with most North American species occurring in western and northern coniferous forests.
Pityohyphantes costatus
hammock spider
Pityohyphantes costatus, commonly known as the hammock spider, is a sheetweb weaver in the family Linyphiidae. The species name derives from its distinctive web architecture, which resembles a suspended hammock. It occurs primarily in coniferous forests of North America, though it has also been found in hardwood habitats. The genus name translates from Greek as 'pine weaver,' reflecting its association with coniferous vegetation.
Pityohyphantes minidoka
Pityohyphantes minidoka is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, described by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1943. The genus name derives from Greek meaning 'pine weaver,' reflecting the typical habitat association of related species. As a member of the hammock spider group, it constructs a distinctive web architecture. The species is known from the United States, with records from Idaho and potentially broader western North American distribution.
Pityohyphantes rubrofasciatus
Hammock spider
Pityohyphantes rubrofasciatus is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as hammock spiders. The genus name derives from Greek meaning "pine weaver," though species occur in both coniferous and hardwood forests. The species constructs flat or slightly convex sheet webs suspended in foliage, typically well above ground level. It occurs across northern North America in the United States and Canada.
Pityohyphantes subarcticus
Taiga Sheetweb Weaver
Pityohyphantes subarcticus is a species of sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Taiga Sheetweb Weaver. It occurs in boreal and subarctic regions of western Canada and Alaska. As a member of the genus Pityohyphantes, it constructs characteristic hammock-shaped webs suspended in vegetation. The species was described by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1943.
Pityohyphantes tacoma
Pityohyphantes tacoma is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It belongs to the genus Pityohyphantes, commonly known as hammock spiders. The species was described by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1942. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic classification and geographic occurrence in the United States.