Genus Argyrodes - Robber Spiders

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Range · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Tiny spider predating possible Neoscona crucifera - Argyrodes

Dewdrop Spiders - Argyrodes elevatus - male - female

Argyrodes elevatus mating pair - Argyrodes elevatus - male - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Araneae (Spiders)

Infraorder Araneomorphae (True Spiders)

No Taxon (Entelegynae)

Family Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)

Genus Argyrodes (Robber Spiders)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Argyrodes Simon, 1864

Numbers

3 species found in bugguide's range.

Range

elevatus - USA - Southern USA, rare in the west.

nephilae - USA - FL only

pluto - USA - From Maryland, Virginia, Missouri, southwest to Chihuahua and Jamaica.

Remarks

Argyrodes spiders (and related genera) are kleptoparasitic. They live in the outer edges of other spiders' webs and move in to steal prey when the coast is clear. Apparently the method of at least one species (Argyrodes nephilae) is to attach a line of silk then cut the wrapped prey out of the host web. The bundle swings free and can be taken to the outskirts of the main web to be eaten in relative safety.

In addition, Argyrodes and relatives will sometimes prey on the (much larger) host spider (Exline and Levi, 1962).

See Also

similar spiders of related genera

Neospintharus--members formerly considered part of Argyrodes

Print References

Exline, Harriet and Herbert W. Levi (1962). American spiders of the genus Argyrodes (Araneae Theridiidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 127(2):73-202 (BHL link)

Edwards and Marshall. Florida's Fabulous Spiders (1)

Internet References

Works Cited

1.	Florida's Fabulous Spiders Sam Marshall, G. B. Edwards. 2002. World Publications.

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 1:20pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Hannah Nendick-Mason, Lynette Elliott, Jeff Hollenbeck, kschnei
Last updated 9 January, 2021 - 1:03am

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