Arachnids of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Araneus cingulatus - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
Comments: Abdomen, cephalathorax and legs green. Abdomen with two rows of small red spots. Younger females look more translucent. Males have reddish/brown palps and bands on legs. One color form has a red mask shaped mark on front half of abdomen with some yellow spotting. Araneus bonsallae and niveus is similar but has a blackish/red patch on dorsum.
Total Length: Very small, female 4.6-6 mm, male 2.7-3.5 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Eastern United States. Males active spring and early summer, females spring through summer. Most records June through August.
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: Forests
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon and likely overlooked.
Silk / Web: Web can be found in grasses, shrubs and trees. Sometimes the tiny web is built across a single leaf. Evidence suggests many build their webs in tree tops.
Behavior: Nocturnal.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Araneus cingulatus - an orbweaver

Photos: 16

Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-08-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-08-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-08
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-27
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-09-01
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2022-08-15
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Callie Dellinger on 2022-07-02
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2022-06-24
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-09-03
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-09-03
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-07-23
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-06-10
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-05-23
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-04-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-07-22
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-08-24
Surry Co.
Comment: