Arachnids of North Carolina
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Erigone autumnalis Emerton, 1882 - a dwarf spider

Erigone autumnalisErigone autumnalisErigone autumnalis
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: LinyphiidaeSubfamily: Erigoninae                                                                                 
Species Comment: Emerton, in first describing the species in 1882, commented that "This species is common on fences in October and November, I have also found a few specimens under leaves in woods. Kaston (1948) also noted their predilection for fences, observing that, in addition to their being found under leaves, they can be found "ballooning from fences." Muma (1943) reported "They may be found late in the fall in tufts of grasses near streams or ballooning through the air on a strand of silk. This species is known as the ballooning spider." In fact, Forster (1971) reported a ballooning male specimen "captured in the aerial nets at Marble Point, Antarctica on 21 February 1960."! (He speculated that the specimen had been a stowaway, and thought the "source of this spider must be either from a ship or from stores brought in..."
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Emerton, J. H. (1882). New England spiders of the family Theridiidae. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences 6: 1-86. Forster, R. R. (1971). Notes on an airborne spider found in Antarctica. Pacific Insects Monographs 25: 119-120. Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874. Muma, M. H. (1943). Common spiders of Maryland. Natural History Society of Maryland, Baltimore, 179 pp.
Comments: Although the protruding chelicerae are easily seen, positive ID requires microscopic examination, owing to the spiders' tiny size.
Total Length: Females 1.4-1.7mm; males 1.0-1.5mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos
Erigone autumnalis
Left palp, ventral view (specimen dbz20210605003, not shown below)		 Erigone autumnalis
Epigynum of NCBP5335
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Canada; Maine to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas. Central America to Panama. Introduced to Azores, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and New Caledonia.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Erigone autumnalis
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: old field; sifted from moss near ditch. Frequently found under fallen leaves.
Observation Methods: Johnston Co. specimens frequently taken in Berlese samples of soil & leaf litter in residential neighborhood.
Abundance/Frequency: Very common, but easily overlooked due to its small size.
Behavior: Owing to one of their commonly observed behaviors, Muma (1943) referred to this species as "the ballooning spider."
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Erigone autumnalis - a dwarf spider

Photos: 16

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-16
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2024-05-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-04-02
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2022-03-30
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-01-07
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-11-18
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-11-18
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-07-06
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-07-06
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Tingley on 2021-07-06
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-07-06
Johnston Co.
Comment: Ventral habitus: ca. 1.5mm Closer view of epigynum in "Structural Photos," above. Glass beads are nominally 1.0mm		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-07-06
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-07-06
Johnston Co.
Comment: Glass beads are nominally 1.0mm		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-04-24
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-04-24
Johnston Co.
Comment: Ventral habitus of male.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-04-24
Johnston Co.
Comment: