Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Araneus saevus - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: Previously known as Aranea solitaria
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
Comments: Medium to large spider with conspicuous humps on the abdomen. Most individuals are grayish or black. Some individuals closely resemble A. nordmanni. A. saevus typically has more lobes in the folium on the abdomen. There is a distinct white median line at the front of the abdomen that distinguishes this from other Araneus. Sometimes can show a white, yellow or orange band like A. miniatus. Another color morph is solid orange in color, and median line can be yellowish.
Total Length: Moderate size, female Total Body Length 11-17 mm, male Total Body Length 9-11 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Mountain region of North Carolina. Widespread throughout Canada and New England, south to North Carolina. Adults late summer through autumn, peak in September.
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: Found on large trees in forest and forest edge
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Araneus saevus - an orbweaver

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. White Pine bathhouse. ID confirmation by D. Zepp.
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. White Pine bathhouse. ID confirmation by D. Zepp.		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. at the Grassy Ridge gate counter. Female. @ -82.951964, 35.096991
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. at the Grassy Ridge gate counter. Female. @ -82.951964, 35.096991		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Watauga Co.
Comment: Hiding in exterior mirror of car. Elev. ca. 1300m (nominally 4267 ft).
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Watauga Co.
Comment: Hiding in exterior mirror of car. Elev. ca. 1300m (nominally 4267 ft).		Recorded by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Observed at approximately 3500 feet elevation at headwaters of a creek, probably best described as rich cove forest surrounded by oak/hickory forest, though kind of a unique area & botanically different from most of the rich cove forest in this conservation easement.
Recorded by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Observed at approximately 3500 feet elevation at headwaters of a creek, probably best described as rich cove forest surrounded by oak/hickory forest, though kind of a unique area & botanically different from most of the rich cove forest in this conservation easement.		Recorded by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.
Recorded by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.		Recorded by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.