Bug Guide doesn't currently have any submissions of the teeny tiny spider
Anapistula secreta of the family Symphytognathidae. This family contains most of the world's smallest species of spiders, most being
only 0.5mm or less. In our nearctic ecozone, there is only one species (
Anapistula secreta). They are a very underrepresented and under-studied group of spiders. The species that we would have an opportunity to find has been known to exist in the
southern United States.
So all you southern master macro photographers out there, keep an eye out, please! Here are some tips and hints (thanks to
(1)):
1) These can be found in
leaf litter,
hollow logs, and other
super-humid microhabitats. Under the best conditions, they will spin a web about 1 meter above the forest floor. These webs can have over 100 radi and are similar in appearance to a regular
orb web. You can sprinkle cornstarch over an area of leaf litter and the webs will become visible.
2) The tiny spider will mostly hang out at the hub of the web, but if disturbed will move to the outer periphery.
3) Things to look for: these spiders
only have four eyes (only the lateral eyes, which are contiguous).
4) They are
yellowish in color, with occasional darker areas.
5) The chelicerae are fused together!
6) The abdomen is higher than long.
7)
Females do not have any pedipalps!
If anyone with sufficient macro equipment/capabilities would like to make this a mission, I can mail you some more information on these little mysterious spiders (which would include drawings and an image of their web, etc.) Just let me know.
Thanks, everybody!