Theridion delicatum

Constantia Theridion comb-feet spider
Female
Juvenile male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Theridion
Species:
T. delicatum
Binomial name
Theridion delicatum

Theridion delicatum is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae.[1] It is found in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is commonly known as the Constantia Theridion comb-feet spider.[2]

Distribution

Theridion delicatum is found in Zimbabwe and South Africa.[1] In South Africa it is known from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.[2]

Habitat and ecology

This species builds a conical retreat of twigs and leaves in its three-dimensional web. It has been recorded from the Fynbos and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 15 to 64 m.[2]

Description

The abdomen is large, almost globular, dull orange yellow marked faintly with a white longitudinal central line with two to three slightly oblique lines on each side. The lines on the abdomen are formed by minute white spots.[3]

Conservation

Theridion delicatum is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Although only known from one sex, this species has a large distribution and is therefore not considered threatened. It is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve.[2]

Taxonomy

Theridion delicatum was described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1904 from Constantia Flats in the Western Cape. The species has not been revised and is known only from the female.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Theridion delicatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1904". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Theridiidae of South Africa. Part 2 [R-T]. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 29. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515998. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  3. ^ Pickard-Cambridge, O. (1904). "Descriptions of some new species and characters of three new genera, of Araneidea from South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 3: 143–165.