Tagelspinnare

Tagelspinnare is a Swedish common name used for a group of spiders, rather than a single taxonomic unit. The term literally translates to “thread-spinners” and is applied in field guides and popular texts to certain spiders that rely on silk lines as part of their hunting strategy. Because it is not a precise taxonomic designation, tagelspinnare can refer to individuals from several families and genera encountered in northern Europe, including Sweden.

Description and behavior

Tagelspinnare are usually inconspicuous, with coloration that ranges from brown to gray and a body size that is small to medium. They often have slender legs and bodies, and their silk production is a key feature. Their foraging strategies can vary: some construct delicate, thread-like capture lines or irregular, tangled webs, while others may hunt more actively with lines used as trip-treads or as retreat anchors.

Habitat and distribution

These spiders are commonly found in gardens, hedgerows, forest edges, and other vegetated areas. They may also inhabit under bark, stones, leaf litter, and mossy crevices. While strongly associated with European habitats, the term is most frequently used in Swedish natural history contexts.

Taxonomic status

Tagelspinnare is not a formal taxonomic group; identifying specimens to species typically requires specialist examination. The label serves as a practical field-based category for observers who note the presence of thread-based silk structures and web-like behavior without committing to a specific genus or family.

Etymology

The name derives from “tagel” (thread) and “spinnare” (spinner), reflecting the prominent role of silk in these spiders’ behavior.