woodlouse hunters, sowbug-eating spiders, cell spiders, woodlouse hunter spiders
Dysderidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as woodlouse hunters or sowbug-eating spiders. The family is found primarily in Eurasia and North Africa, with one species, Dysdera crocata, introduced worldwide. Members are characterized by six eyes arranged in a semicircle, enlarged chelicerae with long fangs, and haplogyne genitalia lacking a sclerotized epigyne in females. The two largest genera, Dysdera and Harpactea, comprise most of the family's approximately 665 species.
running crab spider
Ebo is a genus of running crab spiders in the family Philodromidae, first described by German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling in 1884. These small spiders are distinguished by their extremely elongated second pair of legs, which are at least twice the length of the other legs. The genus formerly contained 22 North American species, but recent taxonomic revisions reassigned most to the genus Titanebo, leaving seven species in Ebo sensu stricto. The genus has a broad distribution including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, India, and Russia, with highest diversity in the southwestern United States.
Evans's Running Crab Spider
Ebo evansae is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. The genus Ebo is characterized by extremely elongated second legs that are at least twice the length of the other legs, giving these small spiders the greatest relative leg span for their body size among North American spiders. Body length ranges from 2–6 mm depending on species. The genus name derives from a medieval German diminutive meaning 'prince' or 'lord'. Ebo evansae occurs in the United States and Mexico.
Edricus is a genus of orb-weaving spiders in the family Araneidae, first described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1890. As of 2017, the genus contains two described species. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Araneidae family, which includes many familiar orb-web builders. The genus has been documented through 234 iNaturalist observations, indicating some level of detectability in the field, though specific biological details remain limited in available sources.
Mesh Web Weaver
Emblyna annulipes is a small spider species in the family Dictynidae, commonly known as mesh web weavers. The species was first described by Blackwall in 1846 under the name Ergatis annulipes. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus region, and the Russian Far East. As with other dictynids, it constructs irregular, mesh-like webs rather than the spiral orb webs characteristic of many spiders.
Emblyna borealis is a spider species in the family Dictynidae, distributed across boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species occurs in Arctic and subarctic environments including Greenland, northeastern Siberia, Canada, and the United States. As a member of the mesh-web weavers, it constructs characteristic tangled webs.
Emblyna borealis cavernosa is a subspecies of mesh-web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. It is known from high-latitude and high-altitude regions of the northern hemisphere, including Greenland, northern Canada, and northeastern Siberia. The subspecies designation suggests cave-associated or subterranean habitat preferences, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other dictynid spiders, it constructs irregular mesh webs for prey capture.
Emblyna completa is a small spider in the family Dictynidae, originally described as Dictyna completa in 1929. It is known from the United States. Like other dictynids, it constructs irregular, tangled webs. The species is rarely documented, with minimal published information on its biology.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna cruciata is a species of mesh web weaving spider in the family Dictynidae. It was first described by Emerton in 1888. The species is known to occur in the United States and Canada. Like other dictynids, it constructs irregular mesh webs for prey capture.
Emblyna florens is a small spider in the family Dictynidae, first described from the United States in 1935. This species belongs to a genus of meshweb weavers that construct irregular, tangled webs. Records indicate it occurs in the USA, though detailed ecological and behavioral studies remain limited.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna hentzi is a species of mesh web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. It was described by Kaston in 1945. The species is found in the United States and Canada, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna manitoba is a species of mesh web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. The species was described by Ivie in 1947 and is known to occur in the United States and Canada. As a member of Dictynidae, it constructs irregular, mesh-like webs for prey capture. The specific epithet "manitoba" suggests a type locality or association with the Canadian province of Manitoba.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna olympiana is a small spider species in the family Dictynidae, commonly known as mesh web weavers. First described by Chamberlin in 1919, this species is documented from the United States. Members of this family construct irregular, mesh-like webs to capture prey. Published records for this species are limited, with few observations in biodiversity databases.
Emblyna oregona is a species of mesh-web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae, described by Gertsch in 1946. The species epithet "oregona" indicates an association with Oregon, suggesting a Pacific Northwest distribution. As with other members of the genus Emblyna, this species constructs irregular, tangled mesh webs rather than the spiral orb webs characteristic of many spiders. The genus Emblyna belongs to the family Dictynidae, a group of small to medium-sized spiders known for their cribellate silk production and preference for vegetation-dwelling habits.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna phylax is a species of mesh web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. It was described by Gertsch and Ivie in 1936. The species is known from the United States and Canada.
Emblyna saylori is a species of mesh-web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae, described by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1941. The species is known from the United States. Like other members of the genus, it likely constructs irregular, tangled mesh webs for prey capture.
mesh web weaver
Emblyna sublata is a species of mesh web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. It was first described by Nicholas Marcellus Hentz in 1850. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a dictynid spider, it constructs irregular mesh webs rather than the spiral orb webs typical of many other spider families.
Emblyna uintana is a species of mesh-web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1919. It belongs to a genus of small spiders that construct irregular, tangled webs. The species is known from the western United States, with records from Utah and surrounding regions. Like other dictynids, it is a small-bodied spider with relatively simple web architecture compared to orb-weaving relatives.
Emertonella is a genus of cobweb spiders in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae, first described by E. B. Bryant in 1945. The genus was re-delimited in 2024 based on male palpal morphology, transferring approximately 30 species from the genus Euryopis. It now contains species distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and New Guinea.
Candystripe Spider (E. ovata)
Enoplognatha is a genus of comb-footed spiders (Theridiidae) first described by P. Pavesi in 1880. The genus includes approximately 75 species with cosmopolitan distribution. Members are characterized by a large colulus, subspherical abdomen, and males typically possess enlarged chelicerae. The genus is considered a senior synonym of Symopagia.
Enoplognatha intrepida is a cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, characterized by its membership in the infraorder Araneomorphae. The species has a notably disjunct distribution spanning North America (USA, Canada, Greenland) and East Asia (Korea). It is one of several species in the genus Enoplognatha, which includes the well-studied and polymorphic E. ovata.
candy-striped spider, common candy-striped spider, polymorphic spider
Enoplognatha ovata is a small theridiid spider native to Europe and introduced to North America. The species exhibits striking color polymorphism, with three main morphs varying in abdominal pigmentation from plain to striped patterns. Despite its diminutive size (4-7 mm), it is an effective predator capable of capturing prey substantially larger than itself. Females construct tangled webs on the undersides of leaves and demonstrate maternal care by guarding egg sacs and provisioning spiderlings.
dwarf spider
Entelecara acuminata is a dwarf spider species in the family Linyphiidae, a group commonly known as sheet-web weavers or money spiders. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. It has been introduced to North America from its native Eurasian range.
Epiceraticelus mandyae is a species of sheet-web weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, described in 2019 from specimens collected in the United States. It belongs to a small genus of dwarf spiders characterized by distinctive genitalic morphology. The species was named in honor of arachnologist Mandy Howe. As a recently described species with limited published records, its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Square-ended Cobweb Spiders
Episinus is a genus of comb-footed spiders in the family Theridiidae, first described by Walckenaer in 1809. The genus includes approximately 64 described species distributed across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with 16 species recorded from China. These small spiders are known for their highly reduced, H- or Y-shaped webs constructed near ground level in low vegetation. Several species have conservation significance, including the Tree H-weaver (Episinus maculipes) which is Red Data Book listed in the UK.
Hobo Spider
Eratigena agrestis, commonly known as the hobo spider, is a funnel-web spider native to Europe that was introduced to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the early 20th century. It constructs characteristic funnel-shaped webs and lies in wait at the narrow end to capture prey. The medical significance of its bite remains poorly understood and debated. Spiderlings emerge in spring, contrasting with the fall emergence of the closely related E. atrica.
Giant House Spider
Eratigena atrica is a large funnel-weaving spider native to continental Europe and introduced to North America. It is among the largest spiders of Central and Northern Europe, with mature females reaching 11–16 mm body length and males 10–14 mm. The species is closely related to E. duellica and E. saeva, forming a morphologically similar species group distinguishable only by palp and epigyne features. E. atrica shows no evidence of hybridization with these relatives.
dwarf spiders
Eridantes is a genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae, subfamily Erigoninae) established by Crosby & Bishop in 1933. The genus contains three described species: E. diodontos, E. erigonoides, and E. utibilis. It is distinguished from similar genera by two proposed synapomorphies: the mesal (rather than ectal) position of the paracymbium, and the broadly divided dorsal and ventral sclerites of the largely membranous radix. Species-level identification relies on detailed morphological characters including cephalic lobe height, prosomal pit position, male palpal tibia form, and the convolution of the m-shaped carinae of the female epigynum.
Eridantes erigonoides is a dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae and the type species of the genus Eridantes. It is distinguished from the related E. diodontos by morphological features including a lower cephalic lobe, different position of the prosomal pit, and distinct male palpal tibia structure. The species possesses pectinate tarsal claws, a trait used in distinguishing the genus from similar taxa.
dwarf spiders
Erigone is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Jean Victoire Audouin in 1826. Members of this genus are small-bodied spiders characterized by distinctive teeth bordering the carapace. They are carnivorous, preying on small insects. The genus is well-represented in temperate regions with numerous described species.
Miller Dwarf Weaver
Erigone aletris is a small spider species in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Miller Dwarf Weaver. Native to North America, it has been introduced to parts of Europe including Britain and Italy. The species belongs to a large genus of sheet-web weaving spiders.
Post Dwarf Weaver
Erigone atra is a small sheet-weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Post Dwarf Weaver. It is one of the most abundant species in its genus, with a holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is notable for its extensive use of aerial dispersal via ballooning, which enables colonization of agricultural habitats including cereal fields and grasslands. E. atra is recognized as an important biological control agent in agroecosystems, where it preys on crop pests such as aphids.
Erigone blaesa is a dwarf spider species in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Crosby & Bishop in 1928. It is a small sheet-web spider distributed across northern North America. The species has been documented in multiple Canadian provinces and the United States.
Erigone capra is a species of sheet-web weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1884. The species is known from North America and Eurasia, with records spanning from western Canada to Russia. As a member of the dwarf spider family, it constructs flat, horizontal webs close to the ground in vegetation. Taxonomic status varies between sources: Catalogue of Life treats it as accepted, while GBIF lists it as a synonym of Erigone dentigera.
Hook-toothed Money Spider
Erigone dentosa is a dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as money spiders. The species is native to North and Central America, with a documented range from the United States through Mexico to Guatemala. It has been introduced to Europe, with established populations recorded in Belgium. The specific epithet 'dentosa' refers to toothed structures, likely describing features of the genitalia used in species identification.
Eriophora edax is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. The species occurs from the United States southward through the Neotropics to Brazil. Like other members of the genus Eriophora, it constructs large orb webs for prey capture. The species was originally described as Epeira edax by Blackwall in 1863.
pirate spider
Ero canionis is a species of pirate spider in the family Mimetidae, described by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1935. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records in the United States and Canada. As a member of the pirate spider family, it is presumed to exhibit the characteristic predatory behavior of attacking other spiders, though specific details for this species remain limited.
Spiny Curtain-web Spiders
Euagridae is a family of mygalomorph spiders commonly known as Spiny Curtain-web Spiders. The group was established as a tribe by Robert Raven in 1979, elevated to subfamily rank in 1985, and recognized as a full family by Opatova et al. in 2020 based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. As of 2025, the family comprises fourteen genera. Members are distinguished by their spiny morphology and curtain-web construction behavior.
curtain web spiders
Euagrus is a genus of curtain web spiders in the family Euagridae, first described by Anton Ausserer in 1875. The genus contains 22 species as of October 2025. It is morphologically similar to the genus Allothele, with several species historically transferred between the two genera. The name "Evagrus" occasionally appears in literature but represents a transcript error rather than a valid synonym.
Eucyrtopogon diversipilosis is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Curran in 1923. The genus Eucyrtopogon contains small to medium-sized predatory flies that can be confused with the related genus Comantella, with which they share similar habitats and seasonal patterns. Very little specific information has been published regarding the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Ant-eating Spiders
Euryopis is a genus of small comb-footed spiders (family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae) distributed worldwide. Unlike most theridiids, these spiders do not construct prey-catching webs. They are specialized ant predators, using a unique hunting technique where they immobilize ants with silk and haul them to safe feeding locations. The genus contains approximately 82 species as of October 2025, with about 20 species recorded in North America north of Mexico.
Silver Cobweb Weaver
Euryopis argentea is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Emerton in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Hadrotarsinae, a group distinguished by their unique hunting behavior. Unlike typical theridiids that construct tangled prey-catching webs, Euryopis species are active ant predators that use silk in a specialized ambush technique. The species has been recorded from the United States, Canada, and Russia (Kamchatka).
Euryopis californica is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, notable for its highly specialized ant-hunting behavior. Unlike most theridiids that construct tangled webs to capture prey, this species is an active predator that specifically targets harvester ants. It has been documented as a predator of Veromessor pergandei, employing unique hunting tactics to overcome the formidable defenses of these aggressive ants. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico.
Euryopis formosa is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Banks in 1908. It belongs to the genus Euryopis, a group of small ant-hunting spiders that exhibit unusual behavioral traits for their family. The species is found in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it does not construct prey-catching webs but instead employs active hunting strategies targeting ants.
Euryopis funebris is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. It is native to North America and has been introduced to South Africa. Unlike typical theridiids that build tangled webs, this species is an active ant-hunting specialist that uses silk to immobilize prey rather than construct capture webs.
Five-spotted ant-hunting spider
Euryopis quinquemaculata is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, placed in the subfamily Hadrotarsinae. Unlike typical theridiids that construct tangled webs to catch prey, this species is an active ant specialist that hunts without building prey-capturing webs. The species name refers to the five-spotted abdominal pattern characteristic of this and related Euryopis species. It occurs in the United States, where it inhabits areas with high ant activity.
Euryopis tavara is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. Unlike most theridiids, it does not construct prey-catching webs. The species is known from the United States and shares the genus-wide trait of specialized ant predation. It is one of approximately twenty Euryopis species recorded in North America north of Mexico.
Euryopis texana is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. It belongs to a genus of ant-specialist predators that hunt without building prey-catching webs. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico. Like other Euryopis, it likely employs a distinctive hunting strategy of ambushing ants and immobilizing them with silk before delivering a venomous bite.
humpbacked orb-weavers
Eustala is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1895. As of November 2024, the genus contains 87 species distributed primarily across the Americas, from the United States through Central America to South America, with highest diversity in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Several species have been documented exhibiting specialized ecological relationships, including myrmecophily (living among ants) in Central American species that inhabit ant-defended acacia plants. The genus includes the well-known humpbacked orb-weaver, Eustala anastera, found across North and Central America.
Humpbacked Orbweaver
Eustala anastera, commonly known as the humpbacked orbweaver, is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. Females reach approximately 10 mm in body length, males 9.5 mm. The species exhibits highly variable coloration, ranging from tan to vivid green, with many individuals displaying a foliate pattern. It is found across North and Central America and has been documented as a host for the spider wasp Caliadurgus hyalinatus. Juveniles have been observed active during winter months in temperate regions.