Arachnids of North Carolina
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Neoscona crucifera (Lucas, 1839) - a spotted orbweaver


Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: This species has borne many scientific names since its original description as Epiera crucifera by Lucas in 1898, including E. lentiginosa, E. hentzii, E. domiciliorum, Aranea c., Neoscona benjamina, N. arkansa, N. nebraskensis, N. sacra, N. hentzii, and N. hentzi.

Interestingly, Simon erected the genus Neoscona in 1864 when he was only 16 years old, and his mastery of Greek seems to have been rather "shaky" (Look Who's Talking Dept. --dbz): It is relatively clear that he meant "spinning among the reeds," but Neoscona translates literally as "spinning a reed." In 1869, Thorell charitably tried to correct this with the spelling "Neoschoena," but this was rejected by Bonnet (1958) who decided that the original spelling should be retained "even if incorrectly written"—although he agreed with Thorell.

The specific epithet crucifera references the cross-like markings that sometimes are visible on the opisthosomata of these spiders.

Species Comment: Although this species does not have a common name recognized by the American Arachnological Society, among its colloquial names are: cross orbweaver, Hentz (or Hentz's) orbweaver, arboreal orbweaver, or rusty-red Neoscona, though the last of those can be misleading, as they are often other colors, including brown, orange, and gray, and can have no markings to speak of or even resemble the usually more distinctly marked N. domiciliorum.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: The prosoma is yellow to brown, and it often has abundant hairs. The males often have a dark prosoma with a median stripe of light-colored hairs. The opisthosoma is highly variable in color and markings. Some are overall tan to yellow and can look very much like Eriophora ravilla. (Note that the ventral markings are quite different.) Others are boldly patterned and easily confused with Neoscona domiciliorum (in which case, examination of the genitalia may be the only way to confirm a species-level identification). Most have a tan to brown abdomen, with a lighter cross in the middle. The ventral opisthosoma is black, with horizontal yellow dashes at the epigastric furrow, and paired longitudinal yellow dashes toward the spinnerets. (Rose, 2022) BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: While the marking of N. crucifera can be confused with those of N. domiciliorum, the adult females can readily be distinguished by the former's much longer and distinctly lobed scape.
Total Length: Females 10-12mm; males 6-8mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos

NCBP5492

NCBP5492

NCBP5492

Note crucifera's lobed scape.
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Mostly eastern, but extends to AZ and CA in the west.
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: disturbed forest, often near buildings
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Commonly found in forest edges, in shrubs and bushes, and around homes especially near lights.
Silk / Web: Large orb freshly made each evening, and taken down in the morning, the spiders hiding in nearby leaves for the daylight's duration.
Behavior: Large orb webs are often suspended in low vegetation and on human structures.
Status in North Carolina
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 Photo Gallery for Neoscona crucifera - a spotted orbweaver

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

Recorded by: Zachary Harris on 2023-11-16
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-10-26
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-10-23
Greene Co.
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Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-10-23
Greene Co.
Comment: Scape
Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-10-23
Pitt Co.
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Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-10-11
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-10-10
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-21
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-21
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-09-17
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-14
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2023-09-02
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2023-09-02
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2023-09-02
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-07-23
Pamlico Co.
Comment: antepenultimate female captured 23 July '23
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-07-23
Pamlico Co.
Comment: molted to penultimate female 31 Jul '23
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-07-23
Pamlico Co.
Comment: molted to adult female 22 Aug '23
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-21
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-21
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-27
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2022-12-05
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2022-10-29
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman; L. Eckart on 2022-10-09
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell & Silas Beachler on 2022-10-04
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: M. Haynes on 2022-09-28
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-09-26
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-09-16
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2022-09-08
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Carl DavyRomano on 2022-08-23
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Carl DavyRomano on 2022-08-23
Forsyth Co.
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