Stiphidiidae

Sheetweb spiders
Stiphidion facetum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Stiphidiidae
Dalmas, 1917
Diversity
20 genera, 126 species

Stiphidiidae, also called sheetweb spiders, is a family of araneomorph spiders first described in 1917.[1] Most species are medium size (Stiphidion facetum is about 8 millimetres (0.31 in) long) and speckled brown with long legs. All members of this family occur in New Zealand and Australia except for Asmea.[2] They build a horizontal sheet-like web under rocks, hence the name "sheetweb spiders".

The largest of New Zealand's species is Cambridgea foliata, with a body length up to 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) and a span of up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in). Hikers and trampers often find their sheet-like webs that can be up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) across, but the spider itself is nocturnal, spending the day time inside its web tunnel.[3] It can also be found in gardens and males may enter human homes. Their large size, including mouth parts up to 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long, may be intimidating, but it is considered harmless to humans and bites are extremely rare.

  1. ^ Dalmas, R. de (1917). "Araignées de Nouvelle-Zélande". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 86: 317–430.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NMBE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "SHEETWEB SPIDER". Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Retrieved 2019-04-24.