Arachnids of North Carolina
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View MYSMENIDAE Members: NC Records

Microdipoena guttata Banks, 1895 - a minute clasping weaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: MYSMENIDAE                                                                                 
Species Comment: This only North American species of Microdipoena is one of our tiniest spiders, the adults often being <1mm! They make proportionally tiny three-dimensional, orb-like webs in the interstices among fallen leaves, close-to-the-ground portions of plants, or similar protected places.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Bishop, S. C. & Crosby, C. R. (1926). Notes on the spiders of the southeastern United States with descriptions of new species. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 41: 163-212, pl. 20-25. Platnick, Norman I. (ed.) 2020. Spiders of the World: A Natural History. Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Comments: Despite its tiny size, the males can be determined by the conspicuous presence of clasping spines on their tibiae and metatarsi, leading Platnick (2020) to refer to the family as "minute clasping weavers."
Total Length: Females 0.9-1.1mm; males 0.7-0.9mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural Features: Females with sclerotized spot on distal ventral surface of femur I. Males have prominent clasping spines on tibiae and metatarsi of Legs I, concave clypeus and highly raised tubercle bearing the eyes. Spinnerets of both sexes are notably anterior, near genital opening.
Structural photos

Easily seen distinguishing characters of males.
Microdipoena females have similarly colored, tiny sclerotized spots on their first and second femora, a distinguishing character for the species in NA.
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: E. USA, MA, NY, NJ; MO east to NC; southeast to FL
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: Taken by sifting in dry leaves in woods and at edges of swamps.
Observation Methods: Rarely seen, owing to small size. Generally found by sifting or Berlese funnel.
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Described as a "spherical, 3D 'orb'"
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Microdipoena guttata - a minute clasping weaver

Photos: 19

Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2022-06-21
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-02-23
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2022-01-01
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-11-10
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-11-08
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-10-27
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-10-05
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-10-05
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-10-05
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-29
Johnston Co.
Comment: Probably immature, considering size. If this were any smaller, it would be imaginary...
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-29
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-29
Johnston Co.
Comment: Note convex sternum
Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-09-14
Washington Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-09-14
Washington Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-11
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-11
Johnston Co.
Comment: Mature male shown on penny to indicate size
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-11
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-11
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male: note distinguishing clasping spines on Legs I, dark anterior spinnerets framing (relatively) large colulus.
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-09-11
Johnston Co.
Comment: