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The tangle-web spiders, also known as cobweb spiders and comb-footed spiders (family Theridiidae) are a large group (over 2200 species in 87 genera *) of haphazard web-builders found throughout the world. The characteristics of this family of spiders are that they are entelegyne (have a genital plate in the female) araneomorph ecribellate (use sticky capture silk instead of woolly silk) spiders that build tangle space webs and have a comb of serrated bristles (setae) on the tarsus of the forth leg. The family includes the genus Latrodectus the notorious widow spiders
The family also contains the clyptoparasitic species of Argyrodes, which often have triangular or worm-like bodies. These strange creatures live in the webs of larger spiders and eat prey caught by their host's web. They sometimes attack and eat the host.
Many species of the nominate genus Theridion are known, as well as Achaearanea, the genus that includes the common house spider. At least some members of the genus Steatoda trap ants and other ground dwelling insects by means of elastic sticky silk trap lines leading to the soil surface.
One species in this genus, Theridion grallator, is known as the "happyface" spider, as certain morphs have a pattern uncannily resembling a smiley face or a grinning clown face on their yellow body.
See also
External links
Haubennetzspinnen | Theridiidae | Kambfætlur | Kilpininkai | Kogelspinnen | ヒメグモ科 | 姬蜘科
"Tangle web spider"