Arachnids of North Carolina
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View ANYPHAENIDAE Members: NC Records

Hibana futilis (Banks, 1898) - a ghost spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAEFamily: ANYPHAENIDAESubfamily: Anyphaeninae                                                                                 
Comments: This species was originally described as Anyphaena futilis, (Banks, 1878), and has also been known as Anyph. decepta, Aysha minuta, and Ays. decepta. Brescovit (1991) erected the genus Hibana by including several other extant species and declaring Ays. decepta in synonymy with futilis,

Further confusing matters, Anyphaenidae had been considered a subfamily of the Clubionidae, which with they can readily be confused; likewise, they closely resemble the Cheiracanthiidae (a family also having been split off from Clubionidae).

Species Comment: As do sac spiders in general, this spider rolls a lined leaf in which to shelter.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description:

Brescovit, A. D. (1991b). Hibana, novo gênero de aranhas da família Anyphaenidae (Arachnida, Araneae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 35: 729-744.

Platnick, N. I. (1974). The spider family Anyphaenidae in America north of Mexico. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 146: 205-266.

Comments: A quick way to recognize anyphaenid specimens from similar families is the placement of the tracheal spiracle, which is located far forward of the spinnerets. In Hibana spp., it's located ca. 2/3 of the distance forward between the spinnerets and the epigastric furrow. (In other anyphaenid genera, this may be ½ that distance, but that's still notably far forward of its placement in other families with which it might be confused.)
Total Length: ca. 5mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos

Left palp, ventral and mesal views. Among other differences, the apophysis indicated by the arrows is not present in the similar-appearing H. gracilis.
Epigynum, dorsal view
Epigynum, ventral view
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: The range of H. futilis is from Costa Rica north into Texas, and then eastward along the Gulf states. With a warming climate along the coast, it should not be surprising to see this (and other) species in the NC Coastal Plain.
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:
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: None, although makes silken retreats in rolled leaves, etc.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Hibana futilis - a ghost spider

Photos: 9

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-10-19
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-03-28
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-26
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-26
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2021-05-26
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male specimen: Distinctive palp confirms earlier female records.		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-27
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-27
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-27
Johnston Co.
Comment: See epigynum detail in "Structural photos," above
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP on 2020-08-27
Johnston Co.
Comment: