Long-legged sac spider Cheiracanthium furculatum in its silk sac retreat, Pretoria, South Africa. It would emerge after dark to hunt. Entering of houses associated with onset of summer.
Cheiracanthium furculatum is a species of spider in the family Cheiracanthiidae, commonly known as the Common House Sac Spider.[1] It is an African endemic that has been introduced to Belgium.[2]
C. furculatum is widely found throughout Africa, Madagascar and Comoro Islands. In South Africa, it occurs in all nine provinces in more than 10 protected areas, at elevations from 3-1752 m above sea level.[2]
Habitat
This very common species has been sampled from all biomes except Succulent Karoo. It occurs in vegetation, houses, gardens, grasslands, cultivated crops, shrubs, and trees.[2]
Description
The species displays characteristic cream-yellow body coloration with blackish-brown chelicerae and eye region typical of Cheiracanthium. It constructs sac-like retreats in vegetation, particularly in rolled-up leaves.[2]
Ecology and behavior
C. furculatum is an aggressive predator that kills prey it encounters, though it may not always feed on them. Four types of retreats are constructed: resting, mating, breeding, and hibernating.[2]
Agricultural importance
This species is highly significant in South African agriculture, recorded from avocado, citrus, cotton, lucerne, macadamia, maize, mango, pecans, pistachio, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, and vineyards. In citrus orchards, individuals can kill up to 29.3 citrus mites per spider per day.[2]
Economic impact
While beneficial in vineyards, these spiders can become trapped in table grape containers during export. They can survive long periods at low temperatures and may escape when containers are opened in recipient countries.[2]
Medical significance
C. furculatum is frequently found in houses and can bite when threatened. It produces cytotoxic venom affecting tissue around bite sites, potentially causing lesions up to 10 cm in diameter. It is the most abundant spider species found in houses in Gauteng and Free State provinces.[2]
Conservation
Due to its wide geographical range, the species is listed as Least Concern. It has been sampled from more than 20 protected areas.[2]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Cheiracanthiidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp.1–62. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6033586.This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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