Achaearanea dubitabilis facts for kids

Achaearanea dubitabilis is a fascinating type of spider known as a tangle-web spider. It was first described by a scientist named Wunderlich in 1987. This small spider makes its home in the beautiful Canary Islands, which are a group of islands off the coast of Africa.

What is a Tangle-Web Spider?

Tangle-web spiders belong to a large family called Theridiidae. They are also sometimes called cobweb spiders. These spiders are famous for the messy, tangled webs they build. Unlike the neat, spiral webs of garden spiders, tangle webs look like a jumbled mess of silk threads.

How Tangle Webs Work

These webs are very clever traps. They have strong, sticky threads that go in all directions. Some threads even drop down to the ground. When an insect walks into these lower threads, they break. This pulls the insect up into the air, where it gets stuck in the rest of the web. The spider then quickly moves in to wrap its prey.

What Tangle-Web Spiders Eat

Tangle-web spiders, including Achaearanea dubitabilis, are carnivores. This means they eat other creatures. Their diet mainly consists of small insects. They catch flies, mosquitoes, and other tiny bugs that get caught in their sticky webs. This helps to control insect populations in their habitat.

Where Do They Live?

Achaearanea dubitabilis is found only in the Canary Islands. These islands have a unique environment. They have different types of landscapes, from dry, volcanic areas to lush forests. This variety of habitats means many different plants and animals can live there.

Spider Homes in the Canary Islands

Spiders like Achaearanea dubitabilis often live in hidden spots. They might be found under rocks, in cracks in walls, or among plants. Their small size helps them stay out of sight. The warm climate of the Canary Islands is perfect for spiders and the insects they hunt.

Why Are Spiders Important?

Spiders play a very important role in nature. They are natural pest controllers. By eating insects, they help keep the balance in ecosystems. Without spiders, there would be many more insects, which could harm plants and crops.

Spiders and the Food Web

Spiders are also a food source for other animals. Birds, lizards, and even some larger insects eat spiders. This makes them an important part of the food web. Every creature, no matter how small, has a job to do in nature.

See also

In Spanish: Achaearanea dubitabilis para niños

• List of Theridiidae species