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, 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

Illustrations from Levi, H. W. (1977). The American orb-weaver genera Cyclosa, Metazygia and Eustala north of Mexico (Araneae, Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 148: 61-127.
Epigynum of NCBP5522
Palpus of NCBP5589
Palpus of NCBP5589 (The shiny sphere is an artifact: a ca. 0.18mm glass bead that I did not try to to remove, lest I damage the palpus. --dbz)
Palpus of NCBP5589 (The shiny sphere is an artifact: a ca. 0.18mm glass bead that I did not try to to remove, lest I damage the palpus. --dbz)
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:
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State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

45 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Lee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31
Lee Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-22
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-22
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Hertford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Hertford Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Martin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Martin Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Northampton Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Northampton Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-27
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-27
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-11-06
Nash Co.
Comment: Photo 18 Dec '23 after adult female died.		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-06-13
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-11-05
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-11-05
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2022-11-05
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-06
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-06
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-10-03
Johnston Co.
Comment: Missing Legs RI & LII when captured; palp removed for examination. See "Structural photoes,above.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-10-03
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-04
Johnston Co.
Comment: This small specimen has an unusual pattern. See her epigynum in the "Structural photos," above
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-04
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-04-13
New Hanover Co.
Comment: