Arachnids of North Carolina
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View TETRAGNATHIDAE Members: NC Records

Leucauge argyrobapta - a longjawed orbweaver

Leucauge argyrobapta
Female		Leucauge argyrobapta
Female dorsal		Leucauge argyrobaptaLeucauge argyrobapta
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: ARANEOMORPHAEFamily: TETRAGNATHIDAE                                                                                 
Comments: The type for this species, Linyphia (Leucauge) argyrobapta White,1841, was based on a specimen collected by Charles Darwin (the only spider he's known to have documented!) during the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, which specimen was subsequently lost after publication of its description. A neotype was not established until 2010 when one based on specimens collected in the type locality was established. At that time, L. argyrobapta was declared a junior synonym of venusta, but in 2018 it was removed from that synonymy, and is again recognized as a separate species. These two species are grossly differentiated by geographic range (argyrobapta being typically more tropical and coastal, while venusta is more northern and found in temperate climes.) Although there may be some generalized marking difference, more precise determination requires microscopic examination of the genitalia. "Surprisingly," according to Ballesterosa and Hormiga, 2018,these are not sister species, as their "estimated age of divergence implies that the morphologies in this two species...have remained seemingly invariable for at least 10 million years.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: The prosoma is light brown with a dark median stripe. The opisthosoma is silver white and has a pattern of dark lines and yellow to orange spots. The dorsal opisthosoma has a dark central line and two lateral lines that run parallel the entire length. Some smaller diagonal lines connect the lateral lines to the central lines. There is often yellow shading within this area and, sometimes, yellow or orange spots near the posterior. The ventral opisthosoma is dark, with a copper-orange crescent-shaped marking (which in some cases is yellow). (Rose, 2022) BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Ballesteros, J. A. & Hormiga, G. (2018). Species delimitation of the North American orchard-spider Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneae, Tetragnathidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 121: 183-197.
Comments: At this writing (2023) we (NCBP) are considering as argyrobapta those coastal specimens having a dorsolateral pair of orange-yellow colored spots above the spinnerets on the opisthosoma in addition to a single, crescent shaped ventral spot anterior to those spinnerets (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2022/03/Leucauge_argyrobapta1646412242.jpg). Conversely, those having only a single orange-yellow, crescent-shaped marking on the venter of the abdomen, anterior to the spinnerets, are taken to be venusta (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2021/07/Leucauge_venusta1625505475.JPG).
Total Length: Female 3.7-8mm, male 3.2-5.1mm Adult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Gulf coast through Florida. Apparently moving northward along the coast on NC. It's been observed that they are frequently taken in the same environment as Trichonephila clavipes.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Leucauge argyrobapta
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: TBD
Silk / Web: An orb, usually horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal, with tangled lines beneath. Usually constructed in low bushes or branches: Frequently in humid locations. Commonly found in low shrubbery, citrus groves, suburban and urban settings, including on landscape plantings.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Leucauge argyrobapta - a longjawed orbweaver

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

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-27
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-27
Richmond Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-03
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-25
Bladen Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-25
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-24
Pamlico Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Duplin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ralph Tramontano on 2024-10-06
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Ralph Tramontano on 2024-10-06
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ralph Tramontano on 2024-10-06
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Jared Barrier on 2024-07-03
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jared Barrier on 2024-07-03
Sampson Co.
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Recorded by: J. Pilkington on 2024-05-10
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Pilkington on 2024-05-10
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-20
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-04-20
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-10-17
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-10-17
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-17
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-05
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka and Chuck Smith on 2022-10-20
Bladen Co.
Comment: