Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide, Google Images, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide; an examination of the structure and genitalia of Cyclosa and Eustala: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4314711#page/79/mode/1up
Comments: Smaller but can resemble E. anastera, legs slightly banded, abdomen is triangular almost as wide as long; it may lack dorsal pattern, or have longitudinal line down the middle. The three species reportedly in NC can be generally determined by their abdominal profiles: cepina is separated from anastera by tip of abdomen NOT upturned, but blunt in side view.
Total Length: Small, Female total body length 3.4 to 7.9 mm, Male total body length 2.5 to 4.3 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Uncommon throughout North Carolina and the Eastern United States. Adults spring through fall.
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: low vegetation near stream, lake shores, fields, pine dunes, ponds, gardens, oak (seems to prefer wetter areas than anastera)
Observation Methods: Sweep netting.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon.
Silk / Web: small orb web.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male taken beneath small web. Missing R leg I and L leg II, when captured. Both palps were removed by dbz, the left being damaged, and the right used for determination and photos.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male taken beneath small web. Missing R leg I and L leg II, when captured. Both palps were removed by dbz, the left being damaged, and the right used for determination and photos.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Taken while beating Osmanthus		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Taken while beating Osmanthus
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Duplin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Killed 22 Aug 2020
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Killed 22 Aug 2020		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - net swept in the woods edge near the visitor center (approximate size = 4 mm)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Granville Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall and Harry LeGrand
Halifax Co.
Comment: Identification based partly on early spring date of observation