Scaffold web spiders or cave cobweb spiders (Nesticidae) are a family of araneomorph spiders closely allied with tangle-web spiders (Theridiidae). Like the Theridiidae, these spiders have a comb of serrated bristles on the hind tarsi that are used to pull silk bands from the spinnerets. Nesticidae contains 16 genera and about 300 species, many of which are associated with caves or overhangs. The genus Nesticus is the type for the family and is found throughout the world. The related Eidmannella has speciated considerably in Texas caves and includes some extremely localized species that are considered threatened. One species, Eidmannella pallida, is found in caves and under overhangs, but also in agricultural fields and other habitats away from such restricted areas. The genus Carpathonesticus is found in central Eurasia.
Aituaria is a genus of spiders in the family Nesticidae. It was first described in 1998 by Esyunin & Efimik. As of 2016, it contains two species, Aituaria nataliae and Aituaria pontica, the latter of which was transferred from Nesticus first to Carpathonesticus, then to Aituaria.
Carpathonesticus is a genus of spiders in the family Nesticidae. It was first described in 1980 by Lehtinen & Saaristo. As of December 2019, it contains 21 species.
Carpathonesticus avrigensis is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it was discovered in a cave. Only two specimens, a male and a female, are known.
Carpathonesticus birsteini is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs Russia and Georgia and is found in caves.
Carpathonesticus borutzkyi is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Russia, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine and is found in caves.
Carpathonesticus caucasicus is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Georgia, where it is found in caves.
Carpathonesticus eriashvilii is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Georgia, in the Lagodekhi Nature Reserve.
Carpathonesticus fodinarum is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it occurs in caves.
Carpathonesticus galotshkae is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in caves in the Ukrainian Eastern Carpathians.
Carpathonesticus hungaricus is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it inhabits caves.
Carpathonesticus lotriensis is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it can be found in caves.
Carpathonesticus mamajevae is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Georgia, in the Lagodekhi Nature Reserve.
Carpathonesticus orolesi is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae named after the Dacian king Oroles. It occurs in the Romanian Carpathians.
Carpathonesticus paraavrigensis is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it was discovered in a narrow gorge, on the overhanging side.
Carpathonesticus puteorum is a species of araneomorph spider of the family Nesticidae. It is found in the Romanian caves at an altitude of 460 to 930 m.
Carpathonesticus racovitzai is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it can be found both in caves and outdoors. It was transferred from the genus Nesticus to Carpathonesticus in 1982 by Weiss and Heimer.
Carpathonesticus simoni is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it can be found in caves. It was transferred from the genus Nesticus to Carpathonesticus in 1980 by Lehtinen and Saaristo.
Carpathonesticus spelaeus is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae. It occurs in Romania, where it can be found in caves and outdoors under calcareous blocks. It was transferred from the genus Nesticus to Carpathonesticus in 1980 by Lehtinen and Saaristo.
Carpathonesticus zaitzevi is an araneomorph spider species of the family Nesticidae that occurs in Georgia. It was transferred from the genus Nesticus to Carpathonesticus in 1996.
