Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Araneus bicentenarius - lichenmarked orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide, Google Images, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bug Guide
Comments: One of North America's largest orbweavers. Most are marked with a pattern of light green and reddish brown blotches on abdomen. Prominent abdominal humps in adult. Legs blotchy green with bases orange/reddish orange with a black band.
Total Length: Very large. Females total body length 20-30 mm long and up to 20 mm wide. Males total body length less than 10 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Overwinters as a subadult and matures early for such a large spider. In the coastal plain matures by April or May, in the mountains early June or July. Usually any extremely large web encountered at this time of year in the forests of the Carolinas is this species, because the golden silk and marbled orbweavers are active as adults in the fall.
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: forest openings
Observation Methods: When not in web they may be encountered on lichen covered trees or green vegetation. Shaking the web or telegraph line can sometimes draw the female out.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon throughout the state and eastern United States.
Silk / Web: Large orb, 3-4 feet in diameter.
Predators: Two kleptoparasitic scorpionflies, Panorpa rufescens Rambur (Mecoptera: Panorpidae), were observed stealing food from Araneus bicentenarius (McCook) (Araneae: Araneidae) at Waterboro Barrens Preserve, York County, Maine. The spider's ensnared prey was a larva of Lapara sp. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), which provided food for both spider and kleptoparasites.
Behavior: At night this spider builds a large orb web 3-4' in diameter hiding in a leaf retreat throughout the day with a telegraph line to feel for prey.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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Photo Gallery for Araneus bicentenarius - lichenmarked orbweaver

Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Deborah Gideon
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Found in second attempt to build web at front entryway. House located in dense forest/vegetation at 3300 ft.		Recorded by: Denise Shields
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Denise Shields
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Chloe Tipton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: I have a short video that is way better than my photo. I can't upload it on this page, please email me so I can send it in. It's beautiful!
Recorded by: K. Bischof, M. Smith
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Caught in a drift fence located near the outdoor classroom. @ -76.901845, 35.476597		Recorded by: Cooke, K
Cleveland Co.
Comment: CRMO - Located within 50 yards of park boundary at personal residence. Photos to follow.
Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - built web on ranger residence @ 358 Millpond Rd.		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - with prey in front of window at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: S. Lane
Harnett Co.
Comment: RARO		Recorded by: R. Tomczak
Onslow Co.
Comment: HABE
Recorded by: J. A. Anderson
Surry Co.
Comment: PIMO		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. Ranger Residence, Frozen Creek.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: