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

Euryopis funebris - a cobweb spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Theridiidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: An unusual theridiid spider, having a triangular abdomen with iridescent scales. Rather small: the literature suggests males to be 3.0mm, whereas the specimen of which the palps are figured is only 2.2mm.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Bradley, Richard A. 2013. Common Spiders of North America. 1st Edition. University of California Press; Berkley & Los Angeles, California, USA.
Comments: The small size, dark abdomen, and iridescent markings are quite distinctive.
Total Length: Females 3-4mm; males 2.2-3mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Structural photos

Epigynum NCBP5514
Palpus of spm. NCBP 5812, dbz2021102411011
Palpus of spm. NCBP 5812, dbz2021102411011
Palpus of spm. NCBP 5812, dbz2021102411011
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments:
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:
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Prey: These spiders readily take ants.
Behavior: The spiders wait with legs outstretched; when ants brushes into them, they turn and circle around the prey, throwing silk onto it until it has been immobilized.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Euryopis funebris - a cobweb spider

Photos: 19

Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-11-30
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2021-11-28
Johnston Co.
Comment: Palp shown in "Structural photos," above.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-29
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-07
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-02
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-02
Johnston Co.
Comment: See epigynum in "Structural photos," above.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-02
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2021-06-10
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2021-06-10
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2020-07-29
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2019-09-05
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2019-09-05
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2018-09-08
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2018-09-08
Iredell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-10-08
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-09-09
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2017-07-18
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2017-07-18
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-06-29
Orange Co.
Comment: