Arachnids of North Carolina
Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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Sole representative of Microhexuridae in NC
NC Records

Microhexura montivaga - Spruce-fir Moss Spider


Immature female
Adult female
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: MygalomorphaeFamily: Microhexuridae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Brownish-yellow to a dark reddish brown. One set of spinnerets very long and curling upward.
Total Length: Adults 3-4 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Restricted to six mountain ranges in the Southern Appalachians of NC, VA and TN.
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: high-elevation spruce-fir forests; found under moss growing on rocks
See also Habitat Account for Spruce-Fir Forests
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Rare but present locally in proper habitat
Prey: Springtails and other small insects
Behavior: Can take three years to reach maturity due to low temperatures and slow metabolism. Courtship in late spring early summer, with eggs present and hatching through mid summer. Retreats within moss layers or rock crevicies.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: SR
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G1 S1
State Protection: Arachnids are not given any protection under state law.
Comments: Federally endangered; endemic to North Carolina and adjacent Tennessee

 Photo Gallery for Microhexura montivaga - Spruce-fir Moss Spider

Photos: 25

Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2023-08-16
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2023-08-16
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-08-03
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-08-03
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-08-03
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-08-03
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-05
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-04
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-04
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron on 2021-08-04
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys, female with egg sac.		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys, female with egg sac.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-07-15
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys. Possible spiderling