Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Uloboridae Members: NC Records

Uloborus glomosus (Walckenaer, 1841) - Featherlegged orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Uloboridae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: When resting it its web, the front pair of legs, bearing conspicuous tufts of hairlike spines are held forward (see photos). BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Opell, B. D. (1979). Revision of the genera and tropical American species of the spider family Uloboridae. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 148: 443-549.
Comments: Usually beige, with 4 conspicuous humps on front half of abdomen
Total Length: Females 2.8-4.3mm: males 2,3-3.2mm
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Widespread in the eastern US, most likely to be found throughout 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: forest understory
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Horizontal orb webs in low vegetation, sometimes with a single-line stabilimentum
Behavior: Members of the Uloboridae possess no venom glands, so wrapping of prey is a major undertaking that may involve hundreds of yards of silk over a long period of time. When the spider is ready to eat, it regurgitates digestive juices onto the wrapped prey, which juices dissolve the wrapping and liquify the prey, both silk and prey being eaten.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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Photo Gallery for Uloborus glomosus - Featherlegged orbweaver

Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment: World War I bunker
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wayne Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Hansen
Iredell Co.
Comment: I have seen these before in my yard, but only today photographed one for identification purposes. Fairly confident of ID		Recorded by: Mark Hansen
Iredell Co.
Comment: I have seen these before in my yard, but only today photographed one for identification purposes. Fairly confident of ID
Recorded by: FKW
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - On residence exterior wall.		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found in characteristic horizontal orb web on porch railing.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found in characteristic horizontal orb web on porch railing.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Found in characteristic horizontal orb web on porch railing.
Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B.Bockhahn, J.Wyche, Joy Greenwood, Michael Walker, Joe Martin
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on a visitor center column		Recorded by: FKW
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Elaborate web design is beautiful.
Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Yadkin Co.
Comment: PIMO - PIMO Bio-blitz		Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: