Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Antrodiaetidae Members: NC Records

Antrodiaetus unicolor - a foldingdoor spider


Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: MygalomorphaeFamily: Antrodiaetidae                                                                                 
Comments: Greek antrodiaitos - "living in caves", from antron - "cave" + diaita - "way of life, dwelling"
Species Comment: Larger and males wander to mate earlier in fall than A. microunicolor
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2005f/zt00872.; https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4753451#page/338/mode/1up. Coyle, F.A. (1971) Systematics and natural history of the mygalomorph spider genus Antrodiaetus and related genera (Araneae: Antrodiaetidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 141, 269–402.
Comments: A dark chocolate brown coloration, the female has one dark abdominal tergite near the front. The female has robust chelicerae with a rastellum. The abdomen is lighter with a purplish cast. Toe fovea is longitudinal. The chelicerae of the male are narrower and have a tuft of stiff hairs at ht ends. The abdomen of the male has three tergites. Two pairs of spinnerets.
Total Length: Female carapace length more than 7mm, male carapace length more than less than 5.6 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Found throughout the Appalachians from northeastern Alabama and north to western Pennsylvania and Illinois.
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: humid, cool, densely forested habitats with sandy loam soil. Balds, forests with Hemlock and Rhododendron. Densest and largest burrow concentrations are usually found in inclined surfaces of slopes and banks along ravines, streams, roads, and trails, at the base of rock outcrops and other sheltered spots.
Observation Methods: Careful visual observation of burrows during day time, head lamps can locate them near burrow entrance at night. Pitfall traps.
Abundance/Frequency: Occasional, males wander to breed in mid September through mid October.
Silk / Web: Burrow lined with silk, various lengths and angles, widened at the entrance and at the base.
Prey: Any arthropod within 7 centimeters of its burrow entrance, mostly ants and beetles.
Predators: Parasitized by Pompilid Wasps, centipedes, acrocerid flies, mites and theridiid spiders.
Behavior: These spiders build cryptic, silk-lined subterranean burrows that are concealed by a collapsible flexible turret or collar during daylight hours. After dusk, spiders prop open the collar and wait at the burrow entrance to seize passing insects and other prey items.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Antrodiaetus unicolor - a foldingdoor spider

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-11-14
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-08-15
Cherokee Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-08-15
Cherokee Co.
Comment: Came to moth sheet but may have been disturbed from its burrow
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2015-08-15
Cherokee Co.
Comment: Came to moth sheet but may have been disturbed from its burrow
Recorded by: Steve Hall on 1985-04-00
Orange Co.
Comment: