Spiders of North America (Princeton Field Guides, 126)

An accessible field guide to more than 500 of the most commonly found spider species in North America Of the more than 49,000 species of spider worldwide, some 4,000 are in North America. Spiders of North America explores more than 500 of the most common and interesting spiders found in this region of the world. This richly illustrated guide begins with an overview of spiders―what they are exactly, how they can be found, how they develop, and why they are important. The book features information on all the major spider guilds: sensing web weavers, sheet web weavers, orb web weavers, space web weavers, ambush hunters, ground active hunters, other active hunters, and spider hunters. Chapters contain accessible descriptions for identifying members of each spider family, including helpful tips for distinguishing members of similar families, and details at the genus and species levels. Stunning color photographs and informative distribution maps accompany the text. Useful descriptions for identification of each spider family Stunningly detailed macro and in-situ photographs Information on all the major spider guilds Handy distribution maps Cover Contents Foreword Acknowledgments 1. The Wonderful World of Spidering What Is a Spider? Key to the Extant (not Extinct) Arachnids How to Separate the Mygalomorphae from the Araneomorphae Spider Anatomy Where Do Spiders Live? Observing Spiders Spider Life History What Are the Benefits of Having Spiders Around? Introduced Species Are Spiders Venomous or Poisonous? Spider Bites and Potentially Dangerous Venom Online Resources A Quick Word about Common Names How to Identify Spiders 2. The Sensing Web Weaver Guild Family: Antrodiaetidae (foldingdoor spiders) Family: Atypidae (purseweb spiders) Family: Euctenizidae (waferlid trapdoor spiders) Family: Halonoproctidae (corklid trapdoor spiders) Family: Nemesiidae (velveteen tarantulas) Family: Theraphosidae (tarantulas) Family: Filistatidae (crevice weavers) Family: Hersiliidae (longspinneret spiders) Family: Oecobiidae (flatmesh weavers) Family: Segestriidae (tunnel spiders) 3. The Sheet Web Weaver Guild Family: Euagridae (American funnelweb spiders) Family: Hexurellidae (dwarf funnelweb spiders) Family: Megahexuridae (ravine funnelweb spiders) Family: Microhexuridae (tiny funnelweb spiders) Family: Agelenidae (funnel weaver) Family: Amaurobiidae (hackledmesh weavers) Family: Cybaeidae (soft spiders) Family: Desidae (saltwater spiders) Family: Hahniidae (combtail spiders) Family: Linyphiidae (dwarf sheetweb weavers and sheetweb weavers) Family: Ochyroceratidae (tiny ground weavers) Family: Pimoidae (large hammockweb spiders) Family: Telemidae (longlegged cave spiders) 4. The Orb Web Weaver Guild Family: Anapidae (ground orbweavers) Family: Araneidae (orbweavers) Family: Symphytognathidae (dwarf orbweavers) Family: Tetragnathidae (longjawed orbweavers) Family: Theridiosomatidae (ray orbweavers) Family: Uloboridae (hackled orbweavers) 5. The Space Web Weaver Guild Family: Dictynidae (meshweavers) Family: Diguetidae (desertshrub spiders) Family: Hypochilidae (lampshade weavers) Family: Leptonetidae (tiny cave spiders) Family: Mysmenidae (dwarf cobweb weavers) Family: Nesticidae (cave cobweb spiders) Family: Pholcidae (cellar spiders or daddylongleg spiders) Family: Theridiidae (cobweb weavers) Family: Titanoecidae (rock weavers) Family: Trogloraptoridae (longclawed cave spiders) 6. The Ambush Hunter Guild Family: Deinopidae (netcasting spiders) Family: Selenopidae (flatties) Family: Sicariidae (sixeyed brown spiders) Family: Thomisidae (crab spiders) 7. The Ground Active Hunter Guild Family: Corinnidae (antlike runners) Family: Dysderidae (woodlouse spiders) Family: Gnaphosidae (stealthy ground spiders) Family: Homalonychidae (dusty desert spiders) Family: Liocranidae (spinylegged sac spiders) Family: Lycosidae (wolf spiders) Family: Myrmecicultoridae (antcolony spiders) Family: Oonopidae (goblin spiders) Family: Phrurolithidae (dwarf antrunner spiders) Family: Plectreuridae (spurlipped spiders) Family: Trachelidae (cuspuled spiders) Family: Zodariidae (igloo spiders) 8. The Other Active Hunter Guild Family: Anyphaenidae (ghost spiders) Family: Cheiracanthiidae (yellow sac spiders) Family: Clubionidae (sac spiders) Family: Ctenidae (wandering spiders) Family: Miturgidae (prowling spiders) Family: Oxyopidae (lynx spiders) Family: Philodromidae (running crab spiders) Family: Pisauridae (nurseryweb spiders) Family: Salticidae (jumping spiders) Family: Scytodidae (spitting spiders) Family: Sparassidae (giant crab spiders) Family: Trechaleidae (longlegged water spiders) Family: Zoropsidae (false wolf spiders) 9. The Spider Hunter Guild Family: Caponiidae (bright lungless spiders) Family: Cithaeronidae (running spider hunters) Family: Mimetidae (pirate spiders) Glossary References Index "Of the more than 49,000 species of spider worldwide, some 4,000 are in North America. Spiders of North America explores more than 500 of the most common and interesting spiders found in this region of the world. This richly illustrated guide begins with an overview of spiders--what they are exactly, how they can be found, how they develop, and why they are important. The book features information on all the major spider guilds: sensing web weavers, sheet web weavers, orb web weavers, space web weavers, ambush hunters, ground active hunters, other active hunters, and spider hunters. Chapters contain accessible descriptions for identifying members of each spider family, including helpful tips for distinguishing members of similar families, and details at the genus and species levels. Stunning color photographs and informative distribution maps accompany the text."--Amazon