Species Steatoda borealis

Classification · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Internet References

spider or tick/mite? - Steatoda borealis

Steatoda, I'm fairly certain - Steatoda borealis - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Araneae (Spiders)

Infraorder Araneomorphae (True Spiders)

No Taxon (Entelegynes)

Family Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)

Genus Steatoda

Species borealis (Steatoda borealis)

Explanation of Names

Latin for "northern"

Size

Females reaching a maximum size of about 7 mm

Identification

The abdomen is reddish brown with a lighter "T" shaped mark at the front end. The underside of the abdomen is also considerably lighter than the upper side.

Range

Northern United States and Canada

Habitat

Most likely to be found under bark and stones, in rock crevices, on bridges and in outbuildings and unfinished basements.

Internet References

http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/borcob.htm

Contributed by Chris Wirth on 15 October, 2005 - 7:39pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Last updated 20 March, 2006 - 6:33am

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