Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Tetragnathidae Members: NC Records

Leucauge venusta - orchard orbweaver


Leucauge venusta
Orb web horizontal, not vertical
Leucauge venusta
Duller individual
Leucauge venusta
Typical coloration
Leucauge venusta
Ventral "venus" red crescent
Leucauge venusta
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 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.
Leucauge venusta
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:
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 Photo Gallery for Leucauge venusta - orchard orbweaver

Only adults are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-18
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-18
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Web Tucker on 2025-05-17
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2025-05-07
Surry Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2025-03-13
Lee Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-06
Richmond Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-04
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-18
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-13
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-16
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-08-01
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-08-01
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-17
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-17
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-17
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-16
Mitchell Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-16
Mitchell Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-11
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Brandi Holliday on 2024-07-07
Martin Co.
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Recorded by: Brandi Holliday on 2024-07-07
Martin Co.
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Recorded by: Brandi Holliday on 2024-07-07
Martin Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-02
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-02
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-02
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-02
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-01
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-01
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-26
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-18
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-16
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-06-15
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-06-14
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-06-14
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-07
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: k.nealson on 2024-05-31
Vance Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-30
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-30
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-22
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-21
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-20
Anson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-20
Montgomery Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-19
Stanly Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-19
Stanly Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-16
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-16
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-15
Haywood Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-15
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-14
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-14
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-13
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-10
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-28
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-28
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Gary Perlmutter, Blanka Aguero, Meriel Goodwin, Lisa Gatens on 2024-04-22
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-04-18
Greene Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-04-18
Greene Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-15
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-15
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Lee Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Lee Co.
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Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2024-03-30
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-03-14
Harnett Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Duplin Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-07
Duplin Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-08
Pitt Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-08
Pitt Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-05
Wayne Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-05
Wayne Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-11-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Rutherford Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-08-10
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-08-10
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-30
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-30
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-27
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-01
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-01
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-17
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-06-17
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: George-Anne & Matt BROWN, Donald ZEPP on 2023-06-09
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: George-Anne and Matt BROWN, Donald ZEPP on 2023-06-05
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-01
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-05-22
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Dee Stuckey, Savannah Hall, and Steve Hall on 2023-05-21
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-04-24
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-04-21
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-04-09
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-08-27
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2022-07-12
Iredell Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-05-16
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2022-05-07
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2022-05-07
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-04-05
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-28
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-26
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-17
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson on 2021-12-09
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-12-08
Cherokee Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson on 2021-12-05
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-10-23
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-29
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-24
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-08-22
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-05-22
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2021-05-15
Person Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2021-05-02
Cabarrus Co.
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Recorded by: Scott Bolick on 2021-04-07
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-04-06
Wayne Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-09-15
Wilkes Co.
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Recorded by: Barbara McRae on 2020-09-06
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-26
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-26
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-13
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-13
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-06-18
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-06-16
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2020-06-13
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-05-27
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger on 2020-05-14
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger on 2020-05-13
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger on 2020-05-13
Richmond Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-04-25
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann on 2020-04-24
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: B. McRae on 2019-08-31
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2019-05-26
Yancey Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-05-05
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2019-05-02
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2018-09-05
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2018-07-09
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-06-29
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-06-29
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-06-21
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2016-03-28
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2015-07-15
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: J.Phillips on 2015-06-05
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2014-08-31
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche, n.dominick on 2014-07-22
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2014-06-30
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2013-08-06
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2012-06-04
Warren Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2012-05-21
Wilkes Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2012-04-12
Halifax Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2011-07-14
Rockingham Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2011-05-09
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jane Wyche on 2010-06-15
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Jane Wyche on 2010-05-10
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2010-05-03
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: R. Preston on 2008-10-15
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2003-08-07
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: B. Anderson on 2003-07-25
Wake Co.
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