Home / Euctenizidae / Myrmekiaphila

Myrmekiaphila

The Myrmekiaphila spider is fascinating! Belonging to the Euctenizidae family, this spider has a name inspired by Ancient Greek words: myrmex, which means “ant”, and philein, meaning “to love”. Why? Because they’re often spotted near ant nests. Here, we’ll share cool facts about them.

Scientific Classification

Myrmekiaphila

Photo Credit: Annika Lindqvist

List of Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Myrmekiaphila comstocki
  • Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi
  • Myrmekiaphila coreyi
  • Myrmekiaphila flavipes
  • Myrmekiaphila fluviatilis
  • Myrmekiaphila foliata
  • Myrmekiaphila howelli
  • Myrmekiaphila jenkinsi
  • Myrmekiaphila millerae
  • Myrmekiaphila minuta
  • Myrmekiaphila tigris
  • Myrmekiaphila torreya
Myrmekiaphila Tigris

Photo Credit: Shaun Kattenberg

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The size of Myrmekiaphila spiders ranges from a modest 0.28 cm to a larger 0.8 cm.
  • Color: These spiders are yellowish-red to darkish-brown.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The females tend to have dusky stripes on their abdomen.

Eggs

The eggs are generally laid in a burrow dug underground by their mother.

Spiderlings

Once they hatch, they begin to dig their individual burrows.

The Web

They do not construct webs to live in. Instead, they build underground chambers which they line with silk threads. Some species from this genus will build secondary chambers that can be sealed off with trapdoors.

Are Myrmekiaphila Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Myrmekiaphila spiders are venomous like most spiders, but their venom is not considered harmful to humans.

Can Myrmekiaphila Spiders Bite?

Yes, Myrmekiaphila spiders can bite if they feel threatened, but bites are rare and usually not severe for people.

Myrmekiaphila Picture

Photo Credit: Shaun Kattenberg

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Myrmekiaphila Spider

Myrmekiaphila spiders play a crucial role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey. Their specialized diet of ants means they help to control ant populations, which can benefit the environment by preventing any one species from becoming too dominant.

Natural Predator: The main natural predators of the Myrmekiaphila spider include spider wasps, which can often overcome the spiders despite their venom and burrowing defenses.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the delicate balance of nature, Myrmekiaphila spiders serve as a check against ant overpopulation, yet they must also evade their predators, such as spider wasps, to survive and contribute to the ecological cycle.

Relationship with Humans: Myrmekiaphila spiders have minimal interaction with humans. Their venom is not a threat to us, and while they can bite, such incidents are rare and typically result in no more than minor discomfort.

Quick Facts

Lifespan5-10 years
DistributionThe south-eastern United States, ranging from northern Virginia across the Appalachian Mountains through north Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee,  in the south towards Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi
HabitatVaried; mountains, plains, and temperate deciduous forests
Common PredatorsSpider wasps
DietAnts

Did You Know

  • American mycologist George Francis Atkinson first described this genus in 1886. He collected specimens close to ant nests while hunting for ants.

In summary, the Myrmekiaphila spider is a remarkable example of the complex interplay between species within ecosystems.

The Myrmekiaphila spider is fascinating! Belonging to the Euctenizidae family, this spider has a name inspired by Ancient Greek words: myrmex, which means “ant”, and philein, meaning “to love”. Why? Because they’re often spotted near ant nests. Here, we’ll share cool facts about them.

Myrmekiaphila

Photo Credit: Annika Lindqvist

List of Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Myrmekiaphila comstocki
  • Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi
  • Myrmekiaphila coreyi
  • Myrmekiaphila flavipes
  • Myrmekiaphila fluviatilis
  • Myrmekiaphila foliata
  • Myrmekiaphila howelli
  • Myrmekiaphila jenkinsi
  • Myrmekiaphila millerae
  • Myrmekiaphila minuta
  • Myrmekiaphila tigris
  • Myrmekiaphila torreya
Myrmekiaphila Tigris

Photo Credit: Shaun Kattenberg

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The size of Myrmekiaphila spiders ranges from a modest 0.28 cm to a larger 0.8 cm.
  • Color: These spiders are yellowish-red to darkish-brown.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The females tend to have dusky stripes on their abdomen.

Eggs

The eggs are generally laid in a burrow dug underground by their mother.

Spiderlings

Once they hatch, they begin to dig their individual burrows.

The Web

They do not construct webs to live in. Instead, they build underground chambers which they line with silk threads. Some species from this genus will build secondary chambers that can be sealed off with trapdoors.

Are Myrmekiaphila Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Myrmekiaphila spiders are venomous like most spiders, but their venom is not considered harmful to humans.

Can Myrmekiaphila Spiders Bite?

Yes, Myrmekiaphila spiders can bite if they feel threatened, but bites are rare and usually not severe for people.

Myrmekiaphila Picture

Photo Credit: Shaun Kattenberg

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Myrmekiaphila Spider

Myrmekiaphila spiders play a crucial role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey. Their specialized diet of ants means they help to control ant populations, which can benefit the environment by preventing any one species from becoming too dominant.

Natural Predator: The main natural predators of the Myrmekiaphila spider include spider wasps, which can often overcome the spiders despite their venom and burrowing defenses.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the delicate balance of nature, Myrmekiaphila spiders serve as a check against ant overpopulation, yet they must also evade their predators, such as spider wasps, to survive and contribute to the ecological cycle.

Relationship with Humans: Myrmekiaphila spiders have minimal interaction with humans. Their venom is not a threat to us, and while they can bite, such incidents are rare and typically result in no more than minor discomfort.

Quick Facts

Lifespan5-10 years
DistributionThe south-eastern United States, ranging from northern Virginia across the Appalachian Mountains through north Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee,  in the south towards Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi
HabitatVaried; mountains, plains, and temperate deciduous forests
Common PredatorsSpider wasps
DietAnts

Did You Know

  • American mycologist George Francis Atkinson first described this genus in 1886. He collected specimens close to ant nests while hunting for ants.

In summary, the Myrmekiaphila spider is a remarkable example of the complex interplay between species within ecosystems.