Web-building

Guides

Antistea brunnea
Antistea brunnea is a small true spider in the family Hahniidae, commonly known as the comb-tailed spiders or dwarf sheet spiders. This species is one of the larger members of the genus Antistea and ranges across northeastern North America. It builds thin, sheet-like webs across small depressions in soil, often in mammal footprints. The species is seldom encountered due to its small size and cryptic habits.
spider Araneae Hahniidae North-America web-building cryptic small-size
Araneae
spiders
Araneae is an order of air-breathing arachnids comprising over 51,000 described species across 136 families, ranking seventh in total species diversity among all organismal orders. Members are characterized by two body regions (cephalothorax and unsegmented abdomen), eight legs, cheliceral fangs with venom glands, and abdominal spinnerets that produce silk. The order is divided into two suborders: Mesothelae (87 species, retaining abdominal segmentation) and Opisthothelae (over 39,000 species, without abdominal segmentation). Spiders occupy virtually all terrestrial habitats worldwide except Antarctica, functioning exclusively as predators of insects and other small arthropods.
arachnids predators silk web-building biodiversity cryptic-species DNA-barcoding Madagascar Australia Canada Brazil Tasmania synanthropic conservation integrative-taxonomy
Araneus bicentenarius
Giant Lichen Orbweaver
Araneus bicentenarius, commonly known as the giant lichen orbweaver, is a large orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It occurs in eastern North America, where it constructs notably large webs. Unlike most Araneus species, adults typically position themselves at the edge of the web rather than hanging upside down in the center.
orb-weaver spider Araneidae North-America web-building
Badumna longinqua
Grey House Spider
Badumna longinqua, the grey house spider, is a medium-sized spider native to eastern Australia that has become a widespread invasive species. It is highly synanthropic, thriving in urban environments and artificial structures rather than natural habitats. The species constructs distinctive messy, ladder-like webs from retreats in cracks and crevices. Females may remain in the same web for their entire lives, while males disperse to seek mates during warmer months.
synanthropic invasive nocturnal web-building cribellate
Bathyphantes brevipes
Grey Sheetweb Weaver
Bathyphantes brevipes is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Grey Sheetweb Weaver. It is a small arachnid found across northern North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the Linyphiidae family, it constructs flat sheet webs typically positioned close to the ground or substrate.
spider sheetweb-spider Linyphiidae North-America entelegyne web-building
Calymmaria
basket-web weavers
Calymmaria is a genus of small North American spiders known for their distinctive inverted cone-shaped webs. These araneomorph spiders were first described in 1937 and contain 31 species, with most distributed along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada. They are primarily nocturnal and construct unique 'basket' webs under bark, rocks, and other sheltered substrates.
spider arachnid web-building nocturnal Pacific-Northwest
Calymmaria persica
Calymmaria persica is a species of true spider in the family Cybaeidae, found in the United States. It belongs to the marronoid clade, a diverse group of small to medium-sized spiders united by genetic rather than obvious morphological characteristics. The species constructs distinctive basket-shaped webs and is primarily nocturnal.
spider arachnid marronoid Cybaeidae United-States nocturnal web-building
Coras aerialis
Coras aerialis is a species of funnel weaver spider in the family Agelenidae, first described by Muma in 1946. It is found in the United States, with records from Vermont and other eastern states. The species belongs to a genus of forest-dwelling spiders that construct funnel-shaped webs with multiple retreats, often in elevated positions or crevices.
funnel-weaver spider Agelenidae forest web-building North-America eastern-United-States crevice-dwelling building-associated
Dictyna
Dictyna is a genus of cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, comprising approximately 118 species. These spiders are characterized by their irregular hackled band webs used for prey capture. Some species exhibit social behavior, with females showing gregarious tendencies in web aggregation. The genus serves as host for parasitoid wasps including Zatypota anomala.
cribellate web-building gregarious parasitoid-host Dictynidae
Diguetia albolineata
desertshrub spider
Diguetia albolineata is a species of desertshrub spider in the family Diguetidae. It is one of seven species in the genus Diguetia occurring north of Mexico. The species is found in the United States and Mexico, inhabiting desert environments where it constructs distinctive horizontal sheet webs with tubular retreats.
spider arachnid desert web-building haplogyne North-America
Diguetia canities
desert bush spider
Diguetia canities, commonly known as the desert bush spider, is a species of coneweb spider in the family Diguetidae. It is the most widely distributed species in its genus, occurring across desert and semidesert habitats from California to Oklahoma and Texas. The spider constructs a distinctive dome-shaped sheet web with a tubular retreat, often placed in bushes or cacti less than 60 cm above ground. It produces a potent insect-selective venom peptide called Dc1a.
spider desert-fauna web-building haplogyne coneweb-spider arachnid venomous insect-predator North-America desert-bush-spider Diguetidae sheet-web tubular-retreat prickly-pear-cactus California Texas Oklahoma Arizona New-Mexico Utah Colorado Mexico semidesert Dc1a-toxin insect-selective-venom cockroach-toxin
Diguetia mojavea
Desertshrub Spider
Diguetia mojavea is a species of desertshrub spider in the family Diguetidae, endemic to the deserts of the American Southwest. First described by Gertsch in 1958, this species constructs distinctive horizontal sheet webs with dome-shaped retreats amid desert vegetation. As a haplogyne spider, it exhibits relatively primitive reproductive morphology compared to more derived arachnids.
spider Diguetidae desert Mojave haplogyne sheet-web endemic arthropod arachnid North-America USA California Nevada cactus-associated web-building primitive-spider
Emblyna
Emblyna is a genus of cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, first described by R. V. Chamberlin in 1948. The genus contains approximately 76 species with a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Emblyna species are small to medium-sized spiders that construct irregular, tangled webs. Two species, E. francisca and E. reticulata, have been documented to exhibit behavioral niche partitioning, allowing coexistence in sympatric populations.
cribellate web-building Holarctic niche-partitioning Dictynidae
Eustala
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.
Araneidae orb-weaver spider humpbacked myrmecophily ant-plant-mutualism Neotropical Nearctic Eustala-anastera Eustala-oblonga Eustala-illicita web-building predator acacia Pseudomyrmex Panama Brazil Galápagos Simon-1895 arachnology entomology tropical-ecology commensalism ontogeny ballooning overwintering juvenile spider-wasp-prey Caliadurgus-hyalinatus host-parasitoid-interactions third-party-exploitation mutualism-exploitation cryptic-coloration nocturnal-foraging diurnal-hiding-behavior thorn-defense orb-web-architecture sawtoothed-web population-ecology substrate-selection spatial-distribution species-diversity endemic-species taxonomic-revision nomen-dubium genitalic-morphology microscopy-identification temperate-North-America Central-America South-America Caribbean Pacific-islands conservation-biology climate-change-vulnerability phenology-disruption winter-activity spring-emergence forest-understory dry-forest moist-forest riparian grassland scrub edge-habitat woodland parkland urban-adapted generalist-predator specialist-predator ant-alate-predation herbivore-interception ecosystem-service biological-control natural-history field-identification cryptic-species-complex sexual-dimorphism wingless-female-moths ballooning-dispersal silk-production web-ontogeny instar-development overwintering-strategy cold-hardiness metabolic-suppression diapause voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine seasonal-polyphenism color-morph pattern-polymorphism habitat-specificity host-plant-specificity ant-colony-integration alarm-pheromone-avoidance sting-avoidance predator-avoidance bird-predation lizard-predation wasp-predation assassin-bug-predation stink-bug-predation defensive-behavior thanatosis camouflage masquerade mimicry aggressive-mimicry foraging-ecology prey-capture web-maintenance web-repair silk-recycling energetics reproductive-output fecundity egg-sac-construction maternal-care male-searching-behavior mate-location pheromone-communication vibratory-communication visual-signaling territoriality web-site-fidelity web-site-tenacity dispersal-behavior colonization-ability range-expansion invasive-potential non-native-species introduced-species synanthropic agricultural-landscape orchard vineyard forest-plantation conservation-status data-deficient IUCN CITES protected-area national-park soberania chiribiquete galapagos floreana ecuador peru bolivia chile argentina uruguay paraguay venezuela colombia costa-rica nicaragua honduras guatemala belize mexico usa canada cuba hispaniola jamaica puerto-rico trinidad tobago barbados lesser-antilles greater-antilles west-indies caribbean-basin amazon-basin orinoco parana pantanal cerrado caatinga atlantic-forest pampas chaco yungas valdivian magellanic fynbos none research-model educational-resource citizen-science inaturalist gbif catalogue-of-life ncbi wikipedia zootaxa journal-of-natural-history psyche entomology-today bug-eric araneology chelicerate-biology arthropod-ecology tropical-biology neotropical-fauna nearctic-fauna holartic pantropical gondwanan biogeography phylogeography molecular-systematics morphological-taxonomy integrative-taxonomy species-concept cryptic-diversity undescribed-species new-species-description redescription neotype-designation lectotype-designation type-locality type-specimen museum-collection voucher-specimen dna-barcoding coi its phylogenomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics ecological-genomics adaptation local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity canalization evolutionary-developmental-biology evo-devo behavioral-ecology sensory-ecology visual-ecology chemical-ecology mechanoreception proprioception neuroethology hunting-behavior web-building-behavior construction-behavior tool-use extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering trophic-cascade food-web energy-flow nutrient-cycling decomposition predator-prey-dynamics population-dynamics metapopulation source-sink-dynamics habitat-fragmentation edge-effects corridors connectivity landscape-ecology macroecology biogeochemistry climate-envelope species-distribution-modeling maxent bioclim worldclim remote-sensing gis spatial-analysis geostatistics abundance density biomass productivity diversity-index richness evenness dominance rarity endemism beta-diversity gamma-diversity alpha-diversity turnover nestedness community-assembly neutral-theory niche-theory competition facilitation apparent-competition indirect-effects interaction-networks mutualism parasitism predation herbivory detritivory scavenging cannibalism intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition character-displacement resource-partitioning niche-differentiation coexistence stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance perturbation extinction colonization invasion establishment spread impact risk-assessment management control eradication restoration reintroduction rewilding conservation-breeding ex-situ in-situ protected-area-network gap-analysis systematic-conservation-planning prioritization hotspot coldspot majority minority flagship umbrella keystone foundation ecosystem-engineer indicator sentinel bioindicator biomonitor ecosystem-health environmental-quality pollution pesticide heavy-metal contaminant bioaccumulation biomagnification toxicology risk hazard exposure dose-response no-observed-effect-concentration lowest-observed-effect-concentration median-lethal-concentration median-effective-concentration safety-factor uncertainty-factor probabilistic-risk-assessment life-cycle-assessment carbon-footprint water-footprint ecological-footprint sustainability sustainable-development green-economy circular-economy ecosystem-services natural-capital green-infrastructure nature-based-solutions ecological-restoration habitat-restoration species-recovery population-recovery genetic-rescue outbreeding-depression inbreeding-depression genetic-diversity heterozygosity effective-population-size bottleneck founder-effect genetic-drift gene-flow isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment landscape-genetics seascape-genetics conservation-genetics molecular-ecology population-genetics quantitative-genetics genomics epigenetics reaction-norm norm-of-reaction genotype-environment-interaction heritability selection natural-selection sexual-selection artificial-selection domestication breeding cultivar variety landrace wild-relative crop-wild-relative genetic-resource germplasm seed-bank frozen-zoo cryopreservation assisted-reproduction cloning genetic-engineering synthetic-biology gene-drive biocontrol augmentative inundative conservation classical natural-enemy parasitoid pathogen nematode fungus bacterium virus viroid prion microbiome holobiont metaorganism symbiosis endosymbiosis ectosymbiosis amensalism neutralism symbiogenesis horizontal-gene-transfer virulence pathogenicity infectivity transmissibility reservoir vector host definitive-host intermediate-host paratenic-host accidental-host dead-end-host zoonosis emerging-infectious-disease pandemic epidemic endemic sporadic outbreak cluster index-case contact-tracing quarantine isolation social-distancing masking vaccination herd-immunity reproduction-number basic-reproduction-number effective-reproduction-number doubling-time generation-time serial-interval incubation-period latent-period infectious-period clinical-period pre-symptomatic asymptomatic pauci-symptomatic mild moderate severe critical fatal case-fatality-rate infection-fatality-rate attack-rate secondary-attack-rate excess-mortality years-of-life-lost disability-adjusted-life-year quality-adjusted-life-year burden-of-disease global-burden-of-disease one-health planetary-health ecohealth conservation-medicine veterinary-medicine human-medicine comparative-medicine translational-medicine precision-medicine personalized-medicine genomic-medicine regenerative-medicine stem-cell tissue-engineering organoid organ-on-chip microphysiological-system in-silico in-vitro ex-vivo in-vivo animal-model non-human-primate rodent mouse rat guinea-pig rabbit dog cat livestock poultry aquaculture fishery wild-capture mariculture algaculture seaweed-farming integrated-multi-trophic-aquaculture recirculating-aquaculture-system aquaponics hydroponics aeroponics vertical-farming controlled-environment-agriculture precision-agriculture smart-farming digital-agriculture agriculture-4.0 internet-of-things artificial-intelligence machine-learning deep-learning neural-network computer-vision drone unmanned-aerial-vehicle satellite gps gnss geographic-information-system decision-support-system expert-system knowledge-based-system ontology semantic-web linked-data open-data big-data data-mining data-science data-analytics predictive-analytics prescriptive-analytics descriptive-analytics diagnostic-analytics business-intelligence artificial-intelligence-ethics algorithmic-bias fairness accountability transparency explainability interpretability privacy security safety reliability robustness adaptability flexibility scalability efficiency effectiveness efficacy performance profitability cost-benefit cost-effectiveness economic-analysis financial-analysis investment return-on-investment net-present-value internal-rate-of-return payback-period break-even sensitivity-analysis scenario-analysis monte-carlo-simulation decision-tree real-options game-theory behavioral-economics nudge choice-architecture default framing anchoring availability-heuristic representativeness-heuristic affect-heuristic confirmation-bias availability-bias anchoring-bias framing-bias loss-aversion endowment-effect status-quo-bias sunk-cost-fallacy planning-fallacy optimism-bias pessimism-bias overconfidence underconfidence dunning-kruger-effect imposter-syndrome stereotyping prejudice discrimination implicit-bias explicit-bias structural-bias systemic-bias institutional-bias interpersonal-bias intrapersonal-bias unconscious-bias conscious-bias affinity-bias similarity-bias in-group-bias out-group-bias halo-effect horns-effect contrast-effect recency-effect primacy-effect serial-position-effect mere-exposure-effect familiarity-principle propinquity-effect social-proof authority scarcity reciprocity commitment consistency liking unity influence persuasion compliance conformity obedience empowerment agency autonomy self-determination motivation intrinsic-motivation extrinsic-motivation self-efficacy self-esteem self-concept self-identity social-identity collective-identity cultural-identity national-identity gender-identity sexual-orientation religion spirituality values beliefs attitudes norms customs traditions rituals ceremonies celebrations festivals holidays commemorations memorials monuments heritage legacy history historiography archaeology paleontology anthropology sociology psychology cognitive-science neuroscience linguistics philosophy ethics morality justice equity equality inclusion diversity belonging representation participation engagement capacity-building skill-development knowledge-transfer technology-transfer innovation invention discovery creativity imagination curiosity wonder awe beauty elegance simplicity complexity chaos order pattern structure function form process dynamics mechanism causation correlation association relationship interaction connection network system emergence self-organization autopoiesis homeostasis allostasis stress acclimation acclimatization plasticity fragility vulnerability sensitivity uncertainty ignorance surprise novelty serendipity chance luck fortune destiny fate karma dharma tao zen mindfulness meditation contemplation reflection introspection self-awareness consciousness subconscious unconscious dream sleep circadian biological-clock chronobiology seasonality phenology migration dispersal nomadism sedentism home-range habitat-use resource-selection foraging hunting gathering farming herding hunting-gathering subsistence livelihood economy market trade exchange barter currency money capital wealth poverty inequality development growth progress well-being happiness life-satisfaction quality-of-life human-development social-development economic-development millennium-development-goals sustainable-development-goals paris-agreement kyoto-protocol montreal-protocol basel-convention stockholm-convention rotterdam-convention unfccc cbd cms ramsar world-heritage man-and-biosphere ipcc ipbes encyclopedia-of-life wikidata wikimedia creative-commons open-access open-science faire-data research-data-management data-stewardship data-curation digital-preservation long-term-archiving repository archive library museum herbarium collection specimen voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype neotype epitype isolectotype isoneotype topotype homotype allotype cotype genotype phenotype ecotype chemotype morphotype karyotype idiogram chromosome genome proteome transcriptome metabolome lipidome glycome interactome connectome epigenome virome mycobiome bacteriome archaeome eukaryome phytobiome rhizobiome endobiome ectobiome exo-biome astrobiome planetary-biome earth-system climate-system ocean-system terrestrial-system freshwater-system atmospheric-system cryospheric-system anthroposphere technosphere noosphere biosphere hydrosphere lithosphere atmosphere magnetosphere heliosphere cosmosphere universe multiverse dimension space time spacetime relativity quantum-mechanics string-theory m-theory loop-quantum-gravity cosmology astronomy astrophysics planetary-science earth-science geology geophysics geochemistry geomorphology soil-science pedology edaphology hydrology limnology oceanography meteorology climatology paleoclimatology stratigraphy sedimentology mineralogy petrology volcanology seismology tectonics plate-tectonics continental-drift orogeny epeirogeny isostasy erosion weathering deposition transport sedimentation lithification diagenesis metamorphism melting crystallization igneous sedimentary metamorphic rock-cycle water-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle oxygen-cycle hydrogen-cycle biogeochemical-cycle nutrient-cycle trophic-pyramid food-chain ecological-network interaction-web mutualistic-network antagonistic-network competition-network facilitation-network ecosystem-function ecosystem-process provisioning-service regulating-service cultural-service supporting-service habitat-service refuge nursery corridor stepping-stone buffer-zone core-area periphery matrix patch landscape seascape riverscape skyscape soundscape smellscape tastescape touchscape mindscape dreamscape memoryscape heritagescape futurescape possibility-space scenario-space decision-space policy-space governance-space institutional-space social-space cultural-space economic-space political-space legal-space ethical-space moral-space spiritual-space sacred-space profane-space liminal-space transitional-space threshold boundary edge frontier margin center core hinterland heartland homeland motherland fatherland native-land ancestral-land promised-land wilderness pioneer settler colonist immigrant emigrant refugee asylum-seeker displaced-person stateless-person nomad traveler tourist pilgrim explorer adventurer discoverer inventor innovator creator maker builder craftsman artisan artist designer architect engineer scientist scholar academic researcher investigator detective journalist reporter correspondent chronicler historian biographer memoirist autobiographer diarist letter-writer poet novelist playwright screenwriter essayist critic reviewer editor publisher librarian archivist curator conservator restorer preservationist conservationist environmentalist ecologist naturalist botanist zoologist entomologist arachnologist herpetologist ichthyologist ornithologist mammalogist primatologist anthropologist archaeologist paleontologist geologist geographer cartographer surveyor navigator expedition voyage journey travel tour trip visit stay residence habitation dwelling shelter home house building construction architecture design plan blueprint model prototype mock-up draft sketch drawing painting sculpture installation exhibition display presentation demonstration show spectacle event occasion ceremony ritual celebration festival fair bazaar commerce business industry manufacturing production fabrication assembly processing refining purification synthesis analysis separation extraction identification characterization quantification measurement assessment evaluation appraisal valuation estimation calculation computation simulation modeling prediction forecast projection scenario outlook prospect expectation anticipation hope fear worry concern care attention focus concentration awareness perception sensation feeling emotion affect mood temperament personality character disposition attitude opinion belief conviction faith trust confidence reliance dependence independence self-sufficiency self-reliance hardiness toughness strength power force energy vigor vitality life health wellness fitness soundness integrity wholeness completeness perfection excellence quality standard criterion benchmark yardstick measure gauge sign signal symptom mark token symbol image icon emblem logo brand trademark copyright patent intellectual-property proprietary confidential secret classified restricted limited controlled regulated managed governed administered operated maintained sustained supported funded financed resourced staffed equipped furnished supplied provided delivered distributed allocated assigned designated appointed elected selected chosen picked preferred favored liked loved adored cherished treasured valued esteemed respected honored celebrated commemorated remembered recalled recollected reminisced reflected contemplated meditated pondered considered weighed evaluated judged assessed appraised rated ranked graded scored marked pointed noted observed noticed seen viewed looked watched gazed stared glanced peeked peered scanned surveyed examined inspected scrutinized studied investigated researched analyzed synthesized integrated compiled composed written authored penned drafted created produced made built constructed fabricated manufactured assembled put-together set-up established founded instituted organized arranged ordered structured systematized methodized rationalized streamlined optimized improved enhanced upgraded refined polished perfected completed finished concluded ended terminated closed shut sealed locked secured protected guarded defended shielded screened covered hidden concealed masked cloaked veiled shrouded wrapped enveloped surrounded encircled enclosed contained held kept retained preserved conserved saved stored stockpiled hoarded accumulated amassed gathered collected aggregated clustered grouped categorized sorted leveled tiered layered stratified hierarchized pyramided tree web mesh grid array configuration layout scheme program project enterprise venture undertaking endeavor effort attempt try test trial experiment investigation inquiry query question problem issue matter subject topic theme motif leitmotif thread strand line sequence series progression continuation extension expansion enlargement evolution change transformation conversion transition shift alteration modification adjustment accommodation reconciliation harmonization synchronization coordination integration unification combination merger fusion blend mixture compound composite alloy amalgam incorporation assimilation absorption digestion metabolism catabolism anabolism equilibrium balance steadiness constancy permanence endurance persistence continuity duration longevity lifespan lifetime existence being entity object thing item article piece part portion segment section division component element constituent ingredient factor aspect facet feature characteristic property attribute trait indication evidence proof verification validation confirmation corroboration substantiation authentication certification accreditation licensing permitting authorizing empowering enabling allowing letting tolerating accepting receiving taking getting obtaining acquiring gaining earning winning achieving attaining reaching arriving coming approaching nearing closing converging meeting joining connecting linking binding tying fastening attaching affixing appending adding supplementing complementing completing finishing perfecting consummating fulfilling satisfying gratifying pleasing delighting enjoying relishing savoring appreciating valuing prizing treasuring cherishing nurturing cultivating fostering promoting advancing furthering encouraging supporting backing assisting aiding helping serving attending tending caring nursing healing curing treating remedying correcting rectifying repairing fixing mending restoring renewing reviving resuscitating reanimating reawakening rekindling reigniting relaunching restarting rebooting refreshing rejuvenating reinvigorating reenergizing recharging refueling replenishing restocking replacing substituting exchanging swapping trading bartering negotiating bargaining dealing transacting contracting agreeing consenting approving endorsing sanctioning ratifying confirming validating authenticating verifying checking testing examining inspecting reviewing auditing monitoring supervising overseeing managing directing leading guiding steering piloting navigating driving propelling pushing pulling dragging hauling towing carrying bearing transporting conveying transmitting sending dispatching shipping delivering distributing disseminating spreading broadcasting publishing issuing releasing launching introducing presenting showing exhibiting displaying demonstrating illustrating exemplifying typifying representing symbolizing signifying meaning denoting connoting implying suggesting indicating pointing referring alluding hinting intimating insinuating inferring deducing concluding reasoning thinking cogitating cerebrating pondering musing reflecting contemplating meditating concentrating focusing listening hearing heeding noting noticing observing watching looking seeing viewing regarding considering weighing evaluating assessing judging appraising estimating guessing speculating hypothesizing theorizing postulating proposing recommending advising counseling consulting conferring discussing debating arguing disputing contesting challenging opposing resisting defying confronting facing encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring withstanding surviving living existing subsisting persisting persevering continuing remaining staying abiding residing inhabiting occupying possessing owning holding keeping retaining maintaining preserving conserving protecting guarding defending securing sheltering harboring entertaining welcoming greeting saluting hailing acclaiming applauding praising commending lauding extolling celebrating honoring glorifying exalting magnifying amplifying enlarging expanding extending stretching diffusing dispersing scattering allocating assigning allotting apportioning dividing partitioning separating detaching disconnecting disjoining disuniting dissociating disengaging withdrawing retreating receding retrograding reversing inverting turning rotating revolving spinning twirling whirling swirling circling orbiting looping coiling winding twisting bending curving arching vaulting bridging spanning crossing traversing passing moving going traveling journeying voyaging sailing flying gliding soaring hovering floating drifting flowing streaming pouring rushing gushing spurting spraying splashing splattering spattering uniting combining merging fusing blending mixing mingling intermingling intermixing integrating incorporating assimilating absorbing digesting metabolizing transforming converting transmuting transfiguring metamorphosing evolving developing growing maturing ripening aging declining deteriorating degenerating decaying rotting decomposing disintegrating crumbling collapsing falling failing dying perishing expiring departing leaving exiting retiring resigning abdicating relinquishing surrendering yielding submitting succumbing capitulating acquiescing complying conforming adapting adjusting accommodating reconciling harmonizing synchronizing coordinating unifying standardizing normalizing regularizing systematizing methodizing rationalizing streamlining simplifying clarifying elucidating explaining interpreting translating rendering paraphrasing summarizing abstracting condensing compressing shrinking reducing decreasing diminishing lessening lowering dropping descending sinking submerging diving plunging plummeting crashing colliding impacting hitting striking knocking tapping patting touching sensing perceiving detecting discovering finding locating positioning placing putting setting laying standing sitting lying resting relaxing reposing sleeping dreaming imagining fantasizing daydreaming woolgathering praying worshiping revering venerating adoring loving nourishing feeding eating drinking consuming ingesting energizing powering fueling motivating inspiring stimulating exciting arousing awakening alerting warning cautioning informing notifying telling reporting announcing declaring stating asserting claiming contending proving revealing disclosing exposing uncovering unmasking unveiling opening unlocking unsealing unfastening untying unbinding unwrapping unpacking unloading emptying clearing cleaning washing bathing showering rinsing soaking steeping immersing drowning suffocating choking strangling throttling squeezing pressing centering aiming targeting zeroing aligning tuning calibrating balancing leveling equalizing stabilizing steady mooring docking landing touching-down alighting perching roosting nesting denning burrowing tunneling digging excavating mining quarrying extracting removing eliminating eradicating exterminating destroying demolishing ruining wrecking damaging harming injuring hurting wounding maiming crippling laming disabling incapacitating paralyzing stunning shocking surprising astonishing amazing astounding staggering stupefying dazing bewildering confusing puzzling perplexing baffling mystifying enigmatic cryptic obscure abstruse recondite esoteric arcane occult mysterious unknown unfamiliar strange odd peculiar curious queer weird bizarre fantastic extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important momentous consequential weighty grave serious crucial vital essential necessary required needed wanted desired wished hoped expected anticipated awaited looked-for searched-for sought hunted pursued chased tracked trailed followed shadowed stalked crept crawled climbed scaled ascended mounted rose lifted elevated raised hoisted heaved hauled pulled tugged dragged drawn attracted lured enticed tempted seduced charmed enchanted fascinated captivated engrossed absorbed immersed involved engaged occupied busy active energetic dynamic vigorous forceful powerful strong mighty potent effective efficient productive fruitful fertile fecund prolific abundant plentiful ample sufficient adequate enough satisfactory acceptable tolerable bearable endurable sustainable maintainable manageable controllable governable rule govern reign dominate command direct lead guide steer pilot navigate drive propel push thrust shove press squeeze compress condense concentrate aim point target zero align adjust tune calibrate level equalize standardize normalize stabilize fix secure anchor moor dock land touch-down alight perch roost nest den burrow tunnel dig excavate mine quarry extract remove eliminate eradicate exterminate destroy demolish ruin wreck damage harm injure hurt wound maim cripple lame disable incapacitate paralyze stun shock astonish amaze astound stagger stupefy daze bewilder confuse puzzle perplex baffle mystify enigma
Helophora reducta
Helophora reducta is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Keyserling in 1886. It is a small-bodied arachnid that constructs flat, horizontal sheet webs to capture prey. The species is known from the United States, though detailed ecological and behavioral studies remain limited.
sheetweb-spider Linyphiidae North-America web-building
Lutica
Lutica is a genus of zodariid spiders endemic to the California coast and Channel Islands. The genus comprises four described species, each with restricted distributions: two on mainland coastal dunes and two on specific islands. These spiders are notable for their unique sand-covered web tubes used in prey detection and their limited dispersal ability.
endemic California Channel-Islands sand-dunes web-building limited-dispersal
Metazygia
Metazygia is a genus of orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) containing approximately ninety species. Members construct orb webs and share morphological similarities with the genus Nuctenea. The genus has been documented to harbor parasitoid wasp associations that can suppress web-building behavior.
orb-weaver spider parasitoid web-building
Metellina
Autumn Spider
Metellina is a genus of orb-weaving spiders in the family Tetragnathidae, distributed primarily across Eurasia with two species in North America. The genus includes sixteen species as of 2025, with M. segmentata being the most abundant orb-weaving spider in Germany and introduced to Canada. Metellina spiders construct webs low in vegetation and are commonly known as Autumn Spiders. Some researchers have proposed placing this genus in a distinct family, Metidae.
orb-weaver web-building sexual-selection male-male-competition sexual-cannibalism-avoidance cave-dwelling introduced-species autumn-activity
Metepeira grandiosa
Metepeira grandiosa is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. Like other members of the genus Metepeira, it constructs a distinctive web architecture combining a small orb web with a tangled, labyrinthine snare and a debris-decorated retreat. The species is found in North America.
spider orb-weaver labyrinth-spider Araneidae North-America Metepeira web-building kleptoparasitism-host
Micrathena mitrata
white micrathena
Micrathena mitrata is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the white micrathena. Females range from 4 to 9 mm in body length, while males are smaller at 3 to 4 mm. The species is characterized by a shiny black abdomen and spiky, yellowish-brown legs. It constructs circular orb webs to capture flying insects and is found from the United States south to Brazil. Despite its spiny appearance, it poses no danger to humans.
spider orb-weaver arachnid Araneidae Micrathena North-America South-America forest understory spiny-abdomen web-building predator harmless-to-humans
Neoantistea
dwarf sheet spiders
Neoantistea is a genus of dwarf sheet spiders in the family Hahniidae, established by Willis J. Gertsch in 1934. The genus contains approximately 25 species distributed across North America, Mexico, and parts of Asia. These spiders are characterized by their small size, with most adults under 4 mm in body length. Neoantistea is notable within the Hahniinae for being one of the few genera that constructs webs, unlike related genera such as Hahnia and Antistea.
spiders arachnids Hahniidae dwarf-sheet-spiders comb-tailed-spiders web-building cryptic soil-dwelling North-America Asia
Neriene radiata
Filmy Dome Spider
Neriene radiata, commonly known as the filmy dome spider, is a sheet-weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. It constructs a distinctive dome-shaped web of fine silk, hanging upside-down beneath it to capture prey. The species is notable for its delicate web architecture and has been frequently observed in natural history studies.
spider sheet-web-weaver Linyphiidae Holarctic dome-web entelegyne Neriene arachnid web-building invertebrate
Orfelia fultoni
Foxfire Fly, dismalites
Orfelia fultoni is the only bioluminescent fly species known from North America. The larvae, commonly called 'dismalites' or 'glowworms,' produce the bluest light (~460 nm) of any studied bioluminescent insect. Larvae are carnivorous predators that construct sticky webs along stream banks and in caves, using paired bioluminescent lanterns to lure flying prey. Adults are non-feeding and short-lived. The species was discovered in 1940 near Glenville, North Carolina by B.B. Fulton and described by Elizabeth Gault Fisher.
bioluminescent cave-dwelling carnivorous-larvae Appalachian-endemic predatory web-building
Pholcidae
cellar spiders, daddy long-legs spiders, carpenter spiders, vibrating spiders, gyrating spiders
Pholcidae is a large family of araneomorph spiders containing over 2,000 species across 94+ genera. Members are commonly known as cellar spiders or daddy long-legs spiders due to their extremely long, thin legs and tendency to inhabit dark, undisturbed spaces. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in habitat use, from caves and tropical forests to human dwellings, with some species showing specialized adaptations including troglomorphism and communal web-sharing. Several species have become globally distributed through human transport, notably Pholcus phalangioides.
spiders arachnids web-building cave-dwelling synanthropic biological-control urban-legend
Phylloneta
Phylloneta is a small genus of comb-footed spiders (family Theridiidae) containing three species and two subspecies with a Holarctic distribution. The genus was elevated from subgenus status in 2008, having formerly been considered part of Allotheridion. Species include P. impressa, P. pictipes, and P. sisyphia (with subspecies P. s. foliifera and P. s. torandae). The type species, P. pictipes, was originally described in 1884.
spider Theridiidae Holarctic agricultural pesticide-bioindicator web-building
Pimoa altioculata
large hammockweb spider
Pimoa altioculata is a large hammockweb spider in the family Pimoidae, found in the western United States and Canada. It was formerly classified in the family Linyphiidae but was separated due to distinct morphological differences, particularly its substantially larger body size. The species constructs fine, horizontal, net-like webs and is primarily associated with coniferous forest habitats.
spider arachnid web-building forest North-America
Pimoidae
Large Hammock-web Spiders
Pimoidae is a small family of araneomorph spiders established by Wunderlich in 1986, closely related to Linyphiidae and sometimes treated as synonymous with that family. As re-circumscribed in 2021, it is monophyletic and contains approximately 90 species in two genera, primarily Pimoa and Weintrauboa. Members are commonly known as large hammock-web spiders due to their substantial size relative to linyphiids and their horizontal, net-like webs. The family has a fragmented relictual distribution across the Pacific coast of North America, the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain, the European Alps, and the Himalayas and adjacent regions of Asia.
Araneae Araneomorphae Araneoidea web-building cave-dwelling alpine relictual-distribution monophyletic-family hammock-web coniferous-forest subterranean
Pimus
tangled nest spiders
Pimus is a genus of spiders in the family Amaurobiidae, commonly referred to as tangled nest spiders. The genus was established by R. V. Chamberlin in 1947 and is restricted to North America. All ten described species occur exclusively in the United States. These spiders construct irregular, tangled webs and are part of the diverse Amaurobiidae family, which is characterized by this web-building behavior.
spider Amaurobiidae North-America tangled-nest-spider web-building
Pirata piraticus
Pirate Otter Spider
Pirata piraticus is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Unlike the wandering hunting strategy typical of many wolf spiders, this species constructs small sheet webs with retreat tubes in moist Sphagnum moss habitats. It exhibits complex life history variation with two reproductive cohorts: early-emerging individuals mature and reproduce in the same year, while late-emerging individuals overwinter and reproduce the following spring.
wolf-spider web-building wetland Sphagnum Holarctic phenotypic-plasticity life-history-variation
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.
spider sheetweb-weaver hammock-spider Linyphiidae North-America arboreal web-building nocturnal-foraging
Plectreurys tristis
primitive hunting spider
Plectreurys tristis is a large venomous spider in the family Plectreuridae, found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, Central America, and Mexico. Adult males reach approximately 12 mm in body length (25 mm with legs extended), with females larger in all proportions. The species produces a venom containing plectoxins, insecticidal peptides that specifically target N-type calcium channels. It constructs webs under rocks and debris, with females and immatures remaining in webs while adult males wander nocturnally.
venomous nocturnal arid-habitat web-building calcium-channel-blocker plectoxins insecticidal-peptides
Pseudocaecilius
false lizard barklice
Pseudocaecilius is a genus of false lizard barklice comprising more than 50 described species. The genus belongs to the family Pseudocaeciliidae and occurs across tropical and subtropical regions. At least one species, P. citricola, constructs silken webs on leaf surfaces where egg-batches are deposited. The genus has been recorded from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Asia.
barklice psocoptera tropical web-building leaf-dwelling
Pseudocaecilius citricola
false lizard barklouse, citrus barklouse
Pseudocaecilius citricola is a species of false lizard barklouse in the family Pseudocaeciliidae. It constructs silken webs on leaf surfaces and deposits egg-batches within these protective structures. The species has a remarkably broad pantropical and subtropical distribution spanning Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with records from over 30 countries and island groups. It has been documented on host plants including mango (Mangifera indica) and Cordia collococca in Jamaica.
web-building pantropical leaf-dwelling egg-batches silken-webs Jamaica mango Cordia Psocodea Psocomorpha Caeciliusetae Pseudocaeciliidae Pseudocaecilius false-lizard-barklouse citrus-barklouse Psocus-citricola
Scytodes longipes
Long-legged Spitting Spider
Scytodes longipes is a tropical spitting spider distinguished by its long legs and specialized prey-capture behavior. Unlike short-legged Scytodes species that are ground-dwelling hunters, this species constructs tangled, sheet-like webs similar to cellar spiders (Pholcidae). It has been introduced well beyond its native range, establishing populations on Pacific Islands, in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The species is notable for its communal tendencies and unique spitting mechanism that immobilizes prey with adhesive venom.
spitting-spider introduced-species tropical synanthropic specialized-predator web-building
Smeringopus
cellar spiders
Smeringopus is a genus of cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) comprising 55 species, making it the most species-rich pholcid genus in Africa. First described by Eugène Simon in 1890, the genus is largely restricted to central, southern, and eastern Africa, though some species occur in South America, Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands. Members include some of the largest and most conspicuous pholcid spiders in their range. The genus is divided into twelve operational species groups based on morphological and geographic patterns. Smeringopus is the sister taxon to the western and central African genus Smeringopina.
pholcid Afrotropical web-building anti-predator-defense whirling-behavior nocturnal
Smeringopus pallidus
Pale Daddy-Long-Leg, Pale Cellar Spider
Smeringopus pallidus is a cosmopolitan cellar spider (family Pholcidae) known for its distinctive pale coloration and extremely long, slender legs. The species builds irregular, three-dimensional cobwebs in sheltered locations and exhibits specialized anti-predator defenses including rapid leg waving, leg autotomy with continued movement of detached legs as visual distraction, and thanatosis (death feigning). Originally described from Africa, it has been introduced to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including South America, the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands. The species reaches body lengths up to 7 mm with females larger than males, and is characterized by purple spots along the dorsal abdomen and a dark ventral sternal stripe.
Pholcidae cellar-spider daddy-long-leg cosmopolitan synanthropic tropical web-building anti-predator-defense leg-autotomy whirling-behavior thanatosis
Sosippus californicus
Funnel-web wolf spider
Sosippus californicus is a large wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, notable for being one of the few web-building members of an otherwise nomadic hunting family. It constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats, superficially resembling those of true funnel-web weavers (Agelenidae). The species ranges from southern California through Arizona and Mexico to Costa Rica, where it is particularly abundant in riparian habitats.
web-building subsocial riparian desert maternal-care
Sosippus janus
Funnel-web Wolf Spider
Sosippus janus is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Brady in 1972. It is one of six Sosippus species known from the United States. Unlike most wolf spiders, members of this genus are web-builders, constructing sheet-like webs with funnel-like retreats. The species is found in the southern United States.
arachnid spider wolf-spider web-building North-America funnel-web
Sosippus mimus
funnel-web wolf spider
Sosippus mimus is a web-building wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. Unlike most wolf spiders, which are nomadic hunters, species in the genus Sosippus construct sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats. This species is found in the United States and shares the distinctive eye arrangement typical of lycosids: two large posterior median eyes with four smaller eyes below and two lateral eyes flanking them.
arachnid spider wolf-spider web-building United-States
Sosippus placidus
Lake Placid Funnel Wolf Spider
Sosippus placidus is a web-building wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, endemic to the United States. Unlike most wolf spiders, which are nomadic hunters, this species constructs thick sheet-like webs with funnel-like retreats. It is described as a habitat specialist compared to its widespread congener Sosippus floridanus. The species is known from relatively few observations (31 records on iNaturalist as of source date), suggesting restricted distribution or specific habitat requirements.
spider wolf-spider web-building endemic habitat-specialist Sosippinae Lycosidae North-America United-States sheet-web funnel-web
Sosippus texanus
Sosippus texanus is a species of funnel-web wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, distinguished from typical wolf spiders by its web-building behavior. Unlike the nomadic hunting behavior of most lycosids, this species constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats. It is one of six Sosippus species occurring in the United States and has been documented as a host for the mantisfly Mantispa sayi.
spider wolf-spider web-building Lycosidae funnel-web maternal-care parasitism Mantispa-sayi southern-United-States Texas
Spirembolus
Spirembolus is a genus of sheet web spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1920. The genus contains 41 species distributed across North America, with records from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These spiders are small-bodied web-builders characteristic of the sheet weaver guild. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with many species described by A.F. Millidge in 1980.
sheet-weaver North-America Linyphiidae Chamberlin-1920 small-spiders web-building
Steatoda grossa
Cupboard spider, Dark comb-footed spider, Brown house spider, False black widow
Steatoda grossa is a cosmopolitan cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, native to Europe and temperate Asia and introduced globally. It constructs irregular three-dimensional webs in dark, sheltered locations and is frequently mistaken for venomous black widows (Latrodectus spp.) due to its similar body shape and coloration, though it lacks the distinctive red hourglass marking. Bites to humans are rare and generally minor, causing localized pain and blistering with occasional systemic symptoms.
spider cobweb-weaver synanthropic cosmopolitan medically-significant-(minor)web-building predator
Thallumetus
Thallumetus is a genus of cribellate araneomorph spiders established by Eugène Simon in 1893. It contains ten species distributed across the Neotropical region, from the southern United States through Central America to South America. The genus is characterized by the presence of a cribellum, a silk-producing structure used to produce hackled silk for prey capture.
cribellate neotropical web-building
Titanoeca
Titanoeca is a genus of cribellate-web spiders in the family Titanoecidae, established by Thorell in 1870. The genus comprises 31 species as of January 2026, distributed primarily across Eurasia with notable exceptions: three species endemic to North America (T. americana, T. brunnea, T. nigrella), one holarctic species (T. nivalis), and one Ecuadorian endemic (T. guayaquilensis). Members construct cribellate webs and exhibit conditional foraging behavior.
spiders cribellate web-building Eurasia North-America holarctic Ecuador conditional-foraging genus-Titanoeca Titanoecidae Thorell-1870 31-species T.-quadriguttata T.-nivalis T.-americana T.-brunnea T.-nigrella T.-guayaquilensis Araneae Arachnida Arthropoda Animalia
Titanoecidae
Rock Weavers
Titanoecidae is a family of cribellate spiders comprising five genera and approximately 67 species. Members are primarily dark-colored web-builders that construct woolly, cribellate silk webs. The family occurs across the New World and Eurasia, with several species inhabiting high-altitude mountain environments where they can achieve high local abundance. The family was elevated from Amaurobiidae by Lehtinen in 1967.
cribellate web-building montane dark-colored woolly-silk Lehtinen-1967 New-World Eurasia high-altitude Rock-Weavers