Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Long-legged sac spider
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The long-legged sac spiders (family Miturgidae) include nearly 400 species in about 30 genera worldwide.
The largest genus currently recognized as belonging to this family is Cheiracanthium, which used to be placed in the family of "true" sac spiders, Clubionidae . The placement of this primarily Old World genus in the Miturgidae is still being debated and may change. Only two species are known from the United States, one of which is obviously introduced. The genus is quite diverse in Africa and at least three or four species are known to occur in Egyptian cotton fields alone. The family would be totally obscure if it were not for the fact that members of Cheiracanthium are documented beneficial predators in agricultural fields and are also known to be mildly venomous to humans. The yellow sac spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum, has been studied more than the other species in regard to its role in controlling pest insects in the southeastern United States. Other genera include the more obscure southwestern US and Mexican Syspira, which superficially resembles a wolf spider (Family Lycosidae). The mostly tropical New World genus Teminius is noted for the thick velcro-like scopula on the undersides of the tarsi.
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