Arachnids of North Carolina
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View ANYPHAENIDAE Members: NC Records

Hibana futilis (Banks, 1898) - a ghost spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAESubfamily: AnyphaeninaeFamily: ANYPHAENIDAE                                                                                 
Comments: This species was originally described as Anyphaena futilis, (Banks, 1878), and has also been known as Anyph. decepta, Aysha minuta and A. decepta. In the past, Anyphaenidae has been considered a subfamily of the Clubionidae, which with they can readily be confused; likewise, they closely resemble the Cheiracanthiidae (also having been split off from Clubionidae).
Species Comment: As do sac spiders in general, this spider rolls a lined leaf in which to shelter.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1629227 Images, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: A quick way to recognize anyphaenids is the placement of the tracheal spiracle, which is located far forward of the spinnerets. In Hibana spp., it's located ca. 2/3 of the distance forward between the spinnerets and the epigastric furrow. (In other anyphaenid genera, this may be ½ that distance, but that's still notably far forward of its placement in other families with which it might be confused.)
Total Length: ca. 6.0mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: The range of H. futilis is from Costa Rica north into Texas, and then eastward along the Gulf states. With a warming climate along the coast, it should not be surprising to see this (and other) species in the NC Coastal Plain.
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:
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Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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Photo Gallery for Hibana futilis - a ghost spider

Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male specimen: Distinctive palp confirms earlier female records.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male specimen: Distinctive palp confirms earlier female records.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male specimen: Distinctive palp confirms earlier female records.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Hunting in daytime on outdoor avocado plant
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Hunting in daytime on outdoor avocado plant		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Hunting in daytime on outdoor avocado plant
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Hunting in daytime on outdoor avocado plant