Mimetus hesperus
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adult female, live |
|
adult female, live |
|
adult male, live |
|
male genitalia; palp, lateral view |
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male genitalia; palp, ventral view |
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female genitalia; epigynum |
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grape size comparison with adult spiders; male (left), female (right) |
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diagnostic feature; pattern of spines on legs I and II |
Current valid name
Mimetus hesperus Chamberlin (family Mimetidae)
Recognition and diagnostic features
Many curved spines on legs I and II with a diagnostic pattern of one long spine followed by 3 to 5 small spines. Obligatory predator upon other spiders.
Related or similar species
Theridion dilutum
Spider
Body lengths when mature: male: 3.5 - 4.5 mm, female: 4.0 - 6.3 mm
Immatures resemble miniature adults.
Egg sac
No egg or egg sac information is available for this species
Distribution
In California: throughout most of the state except possibly northern counties
Elsewhere: western United States
Native to North America
This species has not been transported or become established outside of its range.
Biology
Mimetus spiders are known as pirate spiders because they are obligatory predators on other spiders. They hunt for spiders and invade webs to subdue and eat the host. Because they are spider predators, they are never very common.
Status in table grapes
Level of Incidence: uncommon
Level of Concern in New Zealand: WPNZ (May 2010) nr, BORIC (Dec 2011) nr (not listed), MAF-BPRA (2002) nr (coding definition)
Level of Concern in Australia: WPAU (2006) nr (coding definition)
Level of Medical importance: none
Common name
None for species, pirate spiders for family
Taxonomic history
Stable
Selected references
Chamberlin, R. V. 1923. The North American species of Mimetus. Pomona Coll. J. Entomol. Zool. 15: 3-7.
