Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Araneus juniperi - 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: Juniperi differs from bivittatus by having the abdomen subspherical rather than oval and three white longitudinal stripes on abdomen with green bands in between. Bivittatus is the only species (of the small Araneus) that has the abdomen longer than wide, widest in the middle, with a median anterior hump and two longitudinal dorsal red or green bands on the abdomen bordered with distinct white stripes.
Total Length: Very small, female 2.5-5.2 mm, male 3.2-4.6 mm Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: An attractive orbweaver occurring only in cedars along the southern coastal strand in spring.
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: Found in cedar amid coastal dunes.
See also Habitat Account for General Cedar Woodlands
Observation Methods: Sweep net/beat sheet in junipers.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon, though regular at specific sites. Adults present in early spring at coast.
Behavior: Probably overlooked with the short spring season and limited habitat. Possibly colonial as it can be regularly found in same general area season to season. At Fort Macon found only in the dune edge wind twisted cedars and not in maritime forest/sound side forest despite abundant cedars.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: None
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Araneus juniperi - an orbweaver

Photos: 17

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-11
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lydia Cox on 2022-07-12
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Lydia Cox on 2022-07-12
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lydia Cox on 2022-07-12
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2022-04-03
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2022-04-03
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-25
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-04-13
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-02-25
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-02-25
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-04-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment: Female		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-04-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-04-18
Carteret Co.
Comment: Male		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-04-18
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-04-16
Carteret Co.
Comment: