Spiders of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View	Araneidae Members:	NC Records
Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

Taxonomy

Order: ARANEAE

Infraorder: Araneomorphae

Family: Araneidae

Identification

Online Description/Photos:

BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF

Technical 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

Voucher specimen: NCSU Entomology Museum, Raleigh, NC. GUID 321829

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:

Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

Photo Gallery for Eustala cepina - an orbweaver

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

Photo Gallery for Eustala cepina - an orbweaver		57 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-09 Wilson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-09 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-08 Wilson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-08 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-05 Richmond Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-05 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-05 Henderson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-05 Henderson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-26 Forsyth Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-26 Forsyth Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-26 Forsyth Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2024-04-18 Harnett Co. Comment: Left palp excised for species verification.
	Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2024-04-18 Harnett Co. Comment: Left palp excised for species verification.	Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2024-04-18 Wayne Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31 Chatham Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31 Lee Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-31 Lee Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-22 Wilson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-22 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15 Hertford Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15 Hertford Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15 Martin Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15 Martin Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-27 Wilson Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-27 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20 Brunswick Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-20 Brunswick Co. Comment: