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

Trachelas tranquillus - a cuspuled spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Trachelidae                                                                                 
Comments: Originally described as Clubiona tranquilla by Hentz in 1847, it was officially placed in the Clubionidae in 1867, where it remained until it officially became a corinnid in 1967. When the genus was revised in 1974, it reverted to being a clubionid until it was moved again to the Corinnidae in 1995. Most recently, the corinnid subfamily, Trachelinae, was raised to family rank in 2014, though further work suggests that the genus may belong in the Gnaphosoidea. Watch this space!
Identification
Online Description/Photos: The tan/grey abdomen and dark red cephalothorax of this spider lend an appearance similar to that of Dysdera crocata (q.v.), but the latter have notably large, forward-projecting chelicerae. Furthermore Trachelas is often found in a silken retreat on foliage, while Dysdera is usually found in duff, where it feeds on isopods. BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: (1) Dondale, C. D. & Redner, J. H. (1982). The insects and arachnids of Canada, Part 9. The sac spiders of Canada and Alaska, Araneae: Clubionidae and Anyphaenidae. Research Branch Agriculture Canada Publication 1724: 1-194.1 1 111
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
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Behavior: "Spiders of the genus Trachelas characteristically have shiny red carapaces
and sterna that contrast strikingly with their pale abdomens. They spend
considerable time in silk retreats spun in rolled leaves, under loose bark, or on
objects on the ground, and are sometimes collected by sweeping or beating'
Maturity is apparently attained in autumn, when individuals may be seen in
houses, and the eggs are laid in white sacs during the same season. Some have been
known to bite when handled; the venom causes local swellings and lesions with
severe pain."(1)
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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 Photo Gallery for Trachelas tranquillus - a cuspuled spider

Photos: 9

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-13
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-13
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-04-16
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-05-10
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-10-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Barbara McRae on 2020-08-22
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2020-05-05
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-09-25
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall on 2019-09-25
Orange Co.
Comment: