Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Anyphaenidae Members: NC Records

Anyphaena celer - a ghost spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Anyphaenidae                                                                                 
Comments: Sundevall erected the genus Anyphaena in 1833 based on the Greek word meaning to "weave anew"; however, he using the wrong dipthong: æ instead of œ. The specific epithet, "celer" is Latin, meaning "swift." And boy howdy, the anyphaenid spiders are swift (if not weavers). The taxonomic name has remained relatively stable for nearly 100 years. As is true for other anyphaenid spiders, A. celer does not make a capture web, but is a fast-running species that actively hunts for its prey.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Platnick, N. I. 1974. The spider family Anyphaenidae in America north of Mexico. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 146: 205-266.
Comments: Femora LIII of males are thickened at distal end, and retrolateral spines on the LIII tibiae are shortened, conical structures. A. maculata shares these characteristics, but is a smaller species. Definitive determination can only be made by examination of the epigyna or male palps.
Total Length: Female 5-5.5mm, male 4.2-5mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments:
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 litter, beneath logs, in low shrubbery
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: none
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Anyphaena celer - a ghost spider

Photos: 15

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-02-11
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-02-11
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-02-11
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-21
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-21
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-21
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-02-14
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Note characteristic thickening of distal end of males' femora LIII.
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-02-14
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2023-02-14
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-09-16
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-10
Iredell Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-03-25
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-06-21
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-04-12
Gates Co.
Comment: