Webspinners: Embioptera - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Webspinners And People, Saunders Embiid (oligotoma Saundersii): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS

There are about three hundred species of webspinners known worldwide, but it has been estimated that there may be as many as two thousand. There are thirteen species found across the southern United States. Webspinners are found on all continents, except Antarctica. Most species live in tropical or subtropical climates. There are usually very few or no species living on remote islands. Some species have spread to several continents through overseas trade.

HABITAT

Webspinners build their silk galleries on exposed bark or rock surfaces in humid habitats or underneath bark, stones, or leaf litter. Others live in crevices (KREH-vuh-ses) or cracks in bark, soil, rocks, or termite mounds. Galleries are also found on hanging moss in mountain rainforests.

DIET

Larval and adult female webspinners feed mostly on vegetable matter, including moss, lichens (LIE-kuhns), dead leaves, and old bark. Adult males do not feed.

CONSERVATION STATUS

No webspinner is listed as endangered or threatened.