Arachnids of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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View Antrodiaetidae Members: NC Records

Antrodiaetus microunicolor - a foldingdoor spider



Female in burrow entrance

Female ventral

Females in burrow entrance

Female dorsal

Defensive posture
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: MygalomorphaeFamily: Antrodiaetidae                                                                                 
Comments: Greek antrodiaitos - "living in caves", from antron - "cave" + diaita - "way of life, dwelling"
Species Comment: Smaller and occur later in fall than A. unicolor
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2005f/zt00872.pdf
Comments: Male and female are both smaller than A. unicolor and occur later in fall. Female has lighter coloration: dorsal shield of prosoma, legs, and tergite usually yellowish-brown (A. unicolor dark chocolate brown); and convergent median dorsal setae just posterior to pedicel thin, sometimes somewhat thickened, and tapered. Male the absence of macrosetae on the ventral, distal surface of metatarsus I (A. unicolor has at least one macroseta usually present)
Total Length: Female carapace length less than 7mm, male carapace length less than 4.5 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Southwestern North Carolina and eastern Tennessee
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Temperate forest
Observation Methods: Careful visual observation of burrows during day time, head lamps can locate them near burrow entrance at night. Pitfall traps.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon, adults breed in late October through December
Silk / Web: Burrow
Behavior: These spiders build cryptic, silk-lined subterranean burrows that are concealed by a collapsible turret or collar during daylight hours. After dusk, spiders prop open the collar and wait at the burrow entrance to seize passing insects and other prey items.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Antrodiaetus microunicolor - a foldingdoor spider

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. white pine bath rooms.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Henderson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
McDowell Co.
Comment: 4 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 4 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 57 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 57 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment: 10 occupied burrows, (3) 4mm, (2) 5mm, (2) 6mm, (2) 7mm, (1) 8mm. Amidst rock outcrops along rail line cut.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment: 10 occupied burrows, (3) 4mm, (2) 5mm, (2) 6mm, (2) 7mm, (1) 8mm. Amidst rock outcrops along rail line cut.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment: 10 occupied burrows, (3) 4mm, (2) 5mm, (2) 6mm, (2) 7mm, (1) 8mm. Amidst rock outcrops along rail line cut.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Haywood Co.
Comment: Rosemount Road, below "the orchards overlook". 8 occupied burrows 3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6 mm. 37 degrees. Elevation 3822'.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Haywood Co.
Comment: Greenspire Road, below "the orchards overlook". 4 occupied burrows in dry embankment. 3,3,6,8 mm. 37 degrees. Elevation 3822'
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Jackson Co.
Comment: Balanced Rock overlook. 18 occupied burrows (3) 3mm, (5) 4mm, (6) 6mm, (3) 7mm, (1) 11mm.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Clay Co.
Comment: 6 occupied burrows, (4) 4mm, (1) 5mm, (1) 6mm. Not present near rock faces. None found along creek.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Jackson Co.
Comment: 2 occupied burrows, disturbed embankment along feeder creek.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 43 occupied burrows. (2) 2mm, (8) 3mm, (9) 4mm, (5) 5mm, (8) 6mm, (8) 7mm, (3) 8mm. Elevation 1,863', temperature 47. Piney Knob Trailhead access road, Town of Murphy owned, conservation easement held by the state of NC and monitored by Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 43 occupied burrows. (2) 2mm, (8) 3mm, (9) 4mm, (5) 5mm, (8) 6mm, (8) 7mm, (3) 8mm. Elevation 1,863', temperature 47. Piney Knob Trailhead access road, Town of Murphy owned, conservation easement held by the state of NC and monitored by Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 43 occupied burrows. (2) 2mm, (8) 3mm, (9) 4mm, (5) 5mm, (8) 6mm, (8) 7mm, (3) 8mm. Elevation 1,863', temperature 47. Piney Knob Trailhead access road, Town of Murphy owned, conservation easement held by the state of NC and monitored by Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 43 occupied burrows. (2) 2mm, (8) 3mm, (9) 4mm, (5) 5mm, (8) 6mm, (8) 7mm, (3) 8mm. Elevation 1,863', temperature 47. Piney Knob Trailhead access road, Town of Murphy owned, conservation easement held by the state of NC and monitored by Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 43 occupied burrows. (2) 2mm, (8) 3mm, (9) 4mm, (5) 5mm, (8) 6mm, (8) 7mm, (3) 8mm. Elevation 1,863', temperature 47. Piney Knob Trailhead access road, Town of Murphy owned, conservation easement held by the state of NC and monitored by Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 256 occupied burrows.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 256 occupied burrows.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 66 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 66 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 66 occupied burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 118 occupied burrows. (3) 1mm, (11) 2mm, (13) 3mm, (25) 4mm, (16) 5mm, (16) 6mm, (17) 7mm, (1) 8mm, (4) 9mm, (5) 10mm, (5) 11mm, (2) 12mm.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: 17 occupied burrows, (5) 4mm or less, (7) 5-7mm, (3) 7mm, (1) 8mm, (1) 10mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment: Big Laurel Falls, at least 3 active burrows in mossy banks
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 8 active burrows
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Caswell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Caswell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss embankment, 4-6' off the ground, west facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 4 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 1 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females).
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, south facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 7 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 11 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 1 occupied burrow in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: Moss and soil embankment, 4-6' off the ground, NNW facing slope. Turret size 2-20mm. 59 occupied burrows in 3-6 mm range (male and immature); 33 occupied burrows in 6-10 mm range (likely females); 9 occupied burrows in 10-12 mm range (female)