Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Most Hibana species were formerly in Aysha.
Numbers
Seven species in our region.
(1)
H. arunda
H. banksi - said to be similar to H. gracilis
(2)
H. cambridgei - said to be similar to H. incursa and H. futilis.
(3)
Identification
In this genus, the tracheal spiracle is much closer to the epigastric furrow than it is to the spinnerets. In other members of this family, the tracheal spiracle is roughly half way between the epigastric furrow and the spinnerets.
(3)
Note position of tracheal spiracle in Hibana (left) and Anyphaena (right).
According to Platnick 1974
(3),
Hibana cambridgei,
Hibana incursa, and
Hibana futilis have similar coloration.
Range
H. arunda - Southern Texas and Mexico
(1)(3)
H. banksi - Type specimens (immature) from Palo Alto, CA
H. cambridgei - South central states from Alabama to western Texas, south to central Mexico.
(3)
H. futilis (See example
here.) - Along the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to eastern Texas (within Texas, the range expands north to northeast Texas), south to Costa Rica.
(3)
H. gracilis - New England west to Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas; south to Florida and eastern Texas.
(3)
H. incursa - California east to Utah, south to southern Mexico.
(3)
H. velox (see:
"dark orange carapace wide eyes - SE") - North Carolina west to Arkansas, south to east Texas and Florida, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bermuda.
(3) Remarks
Hibana futilis are important nocturnal predators of cotton pests.(1)
Internet References
(1)
www.ars.usda.gov - Article: Beneficial Nocturnal Insects Help Combat Pests in Texas by Alfredo Flores.
