Arachnids of North Carolina
Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
« »
View Tetragnathidae Members: NC Records

Leucauge venusta - orchard orbweaver



Orb web horizontal, not vertical

Duller individual

Typical coloration

Ventral "venus" red crescent

Immature
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Tetragnathidae                                                                                 
Comments: The type for this species, Linyphia (Leucauge) argyrobapta White,1841, was based on a specimen collected by Charles Darwin (the only spider he's known to have documented!) during the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, which specimen was subsequently lost after publication of its description.

A neotype was not established until 2010 when one based on specimens collected in the type locality was established. At that time, L. venusta was declared a senior synonym of L. argyrobapta, but in 2018, argyrobapta was removed from that synonymy, and is now recognized as a separate species. These two species are grossly differentiated by geographic range (venusta is more northern and found in temperate climes, while argyrobapta is typically more tropical and coastal).

Although there may be some generalized marking difference, more precise determination requires microscopic examination of the genitalia. "Surprisingly,", according to Ballesterosa and Hormiga, 2018,these are not sister species, as their "estimated age of divergence implies that the morphologies in this two species...have remained seemingly invariable for at least 10 million years.

Identification
Online Description/Photos: The prosoma is light brown with a dark median stripe. The opisthosoma is silver white and has a pattern of dark lines and yellow to orange spots. The dorsal opisthosoma has a dark central line and two lateral lines that run parallel the entire length. Some smaller diagonal lines connect the lateral lines to the central lines. There is often yellow shading within this area and, sometimes, yellow or orange spots near the posterior. The ventral opisthosoma is dark, with a copper-orange crescent-shaped marking (which in some cases is yellow). (Rose, 2022) BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description:

Ballesteros, J. A. & Hormiga, G. (2018). Species delimitation of the North American orchard-spider Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneae, Tetragnathidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 121: 183-197.

Comments: At this writing (2023) we (NCBP) are considering to be venusta those specimens having a single, crescent shaped ventral spot anterior to the spinnerets. (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2021/07/Leucauge_venusta1625505475.JPG). Conversely, those having in addition a ventrolateral pair of orange-yellow colored spots dorsolateral to the spinnerets on the opisthosoma in are taken to be argyrobapta (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2022/03/Leucauge_argyrobapta1646412242.jpg).
Total Length: Female 3.7-8mm, male 3.2-5.1mm Adult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Found in all US coastal states, with scattered distribution between the east and west coasts. Widely found in NC.
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: Shrubby meadows, forest edge, urban and suburban settings (Rose, 2022).
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Very common
Silk / Web: An orb, usually horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal, with tangled lines beneath. Usually constructed in low bushes or branches: Frequently in sunny, but moist, temperate locations. Commonly found in suburban and urban settings.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Leucauge venusta - orchard orbweaver

100 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-03-14
Harnett Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Duplin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Duplin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-08
Pitt Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-08
Pitt Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-05
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-05
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-03
Harnett Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-08-10
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-08-10
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-30
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-30
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-27
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-01
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-01
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-17
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-06-17
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: George-Anne & Matt BROWN on 2023-06-09
Franklin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: George-Anne and Matt BROWN on 2023-06-05
Franklin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-01
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-05-22
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dee Stuckey, Savannah Hall, and Steve Hall on 2023-05-21
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-04-24
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-04-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-04-14
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-04-09
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-08-27
Graham Co.
Comment: