Trachelidae Spiders

Trachelidae, a part of the araneomorph family, initially belonged to the Tracheleae subfamily. Subsequently, they were even placed in the Clubionidae and Corinnidae families. As per the 2019 April report, the family comprises of 19 genera and 271 species.

Trachelidae Spiders

Spiders Belonging To This Family

Genus

  • Afroceto
  • Cetonana
  • Fuchiba
  • Fuchibotulus
  • Jocquestus
  • Meriola
  • Metatrachelas 
  • Orthobula 
  • Paccius
  • Paraceto
  • Paratrachelas
  • Patelloceto
  • Planochelas
  • Poachelas
  • Spinotrachelas
  • Thysanina
  • Trachelas
  • Trachelopachys
  • Utivarachna

Species

  • Afroceto plana
  • Cetonana setosa
  • Fuchiba tortilis
  • Fuchibotulus haddadi
  • Jocquestus incurvus
  • Meriola arcifera
  • Meriola californica
  • Meriola decepta
  • Metatrachelas amabilis
  • Orthobula impressa 
  • Paccius elevatus
  • Paraceto orientalis
  • Patelloceto media
  • Utivarachna accentuata
  • Trachelopachys tarma
  • Trachelas volutus
  • Trachelas tranquillus
  • Trachelas oreophilus

Physical Description & Identification

Adults

Size:  The females of this family are approximately 0.27 – 0.39 inches (7 – 10 mm), while the males are smaller, 0.19 – 0.27 inches (5 – 7 mm).

Color:The color varies from one genus to another, with the common shades being red, gray, brown, black, tan, and orange.

Other Characteristic Features: The physical features differ according to the species. For instance, most spiders of the Trachelas genus have abdominal markings.

Eggs

The sac comprises 30 – 60 eggs deposited within rolled leaves, barks of trees, or even below rocks.

Spiderlings

The juveniles get on their own once they mature.

The Web

Most spiders of this family do not build webs but find hiding places amidst rolled up leaves or grasses from which they keep a look on their prey.

Are Trachelidae Spiders Venomous

While some are venomous, leaving a painful; bite, most spiders of this family, do not harm humans.

Quick Facts

DistributionParts of Africa, North America, South America, Asia, South Africa
HabitatNear rocks, meadows, rolled-up leaves
DietSmall insects
Lifespan1 – 2 years

Did You Know

  • French naturalist, Eugene Simon described this family in the year 1897.