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

Anelosimus studiosus - a cobweb spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Theridiidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: Sub-social, with numerous individuals of varying ages in tangle webs commonly on tips of low branches. These may be common enough to be considered unsightly on ornamental plantings.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description:

Eberhard, William G. 2020, Spider Webs - Behavior, Function and Evolution. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL.

Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874.

Comments: Colors vary, including brown, tan, red or greenish. Prosoma usually with dark margin and central band, but these may be lacking. Opisthosoma has wavy, central dorsal band having white margins.
Total Length: Females 3.2-4.7 mm, males 2.1-2.3 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Structural photos
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Considered a "southern spider" by Kaston (1948) who noted a single specimen found in Connecticut, its distribution ranges from southern New England to Florida and west to Texas.
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: old field, yards; shrubs, red cedar trees
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Small communal tangle webs may coalesce into huge communal sheets, occupied by thousands of individuals.
Predators: Ichneumonid ectoparasitoid, Zatypota crassipes Townes, 1960
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Anelosimus studiosus - a cobweb spider

Photos: 22

Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-03-14
Harnett Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-17
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-17
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-17
Lenoir Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-10
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-08
Greene 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 2023-12-29
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-23
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-21
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-21
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-17
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-05-08
Johnston Co.
Comment: To see palp detail, click "Structural photos" in "Identification" section, above.		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-11-01
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-08-31
Johnston Co.
Comment: Spiderling and ichneumonid ectoparasitoid at base of lagerstroemia seed pod with dime for scale.		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-08-31
Johnston Co.
Comment: Spiderling and its ichneumonid ectoparasitoid, prob. Zatypota crassipes.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-09-13
Johnston Co.
Comment: Adult female: Not sure what the schmutz is on her carapace--she was alive when these photos were taken!		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-09-13
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-09-13
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-05-29
Macon Co.
Comment: