Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Verrucosa arenata - an orb weaver


Immature
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: First described in 1833 as Epeira mexicana by Lucas, that name was sunk as nomen oblitum in 1976, so it took the specific epithet from Walckenaer in 1841, when he described it as E. arenata. It was moved to the genus Verrucosa by McCook in 1888.
Species Comment: Several regional, colloquial names have been used to describe this spider, including "triangulate orb weaver" and "arrowhead spider."
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Levi, H. W. (1976). The orb-weaver genera Verrucosa, Acanthepeira, Wagneriana, Acacesia, Wixia, Scoloderus and Alpaida north of Mexico. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 147: p. 358.
Comments: Quite readily identified by the triangular abdominal marking, which can be white, yellow, or even pink. There are tubercles at each anterior corner, and several smaller ones near the posterior end of this triangular area. The legs and cephalothorax may be tan, brown, or rusty red.
Total Length: Females 5-9.5mm; males 5.5-6mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Eastern deciduous forests, gardens, suburban plantings.
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: forest edge, forest
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Fairly common in the mountains and Piedmont--less so in the Coastal Plain.
Silk / Web: A typical—but coarse—orb; atypically, the spider usually rests in it head upward. In open areas, the web is usually taken down during the day, but it has been observed intact and inhabited by the spider during daytime hours in dark or heavily shaded areas.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Verrucosa arenata - an orb weaver

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

Recorded by: Mary Catherine Puppo on 2024-11-08
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-10-25
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-10-25
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Julia Tennant on 2024-09-07
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-05
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-24
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-24
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-24
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-08-11
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-09
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-09
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-04
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-28
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Lisa Motley on 2024-07-28
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lisa Motley on 2024-07-28
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-26
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-26
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-26
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-18
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-15
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-07-15
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-06-11
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-07
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: J. Mickey on 2023-10-03
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-26
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-09-25
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-19
Wilson Co.
Comment: