Spiders of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View	Araneidae Members:	NC Records
Araneus nordmanni - an orbweaver

Taxonomy

Order: ARANEAE

Infraorder: Araneomorphae

Family: Araneidae

Identification

Online Description/Photos:	BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF	Technical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
Comments: Large spider with dramatic black and white color forms and well defined abdominal humps. The abdomens of some are mottled brown with a light spot at the front of the centerline of the abdomen. Others have a black and white abdomen with a black folium, a black band between the humps, and a black bordered white spot or spots at the front centerline. The dark folium on the abdomen is bordered by a light wavy margin usually with three constrictions. All varieties have banded legs. The similar looking A. saevus has a more distinct white centerline at the front of the abdomen as well as a folium that usually has four constrictions.
Total Length: Medium to large, female 7-19 mm, male 6-10 mm	Adult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info

Distribution in North Carolina

Comments: Mountain region of North Carolina. Canada, western and northeastern United States, Appalachians south to Tennessee and North Carolina. Males in summer, females in summer and fall, peak September.
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: Usually found near boulders and trees in dark mature forests.
Observation Methods: Visual observation.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon
Behavior: After capturing prey this spider returns to it's retreat to feed. Where this species overlaps with A. saevus, nordmanni is smaller. Where there is no overlap it is larger, suggesting an ecological interaction between these similar spiders (Levi 1971).

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

State Protection:

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Araneus nordmanni - an orbweaver		Photos: 6
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-26 Buncombe Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-29 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-05-04 Macon Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-10-07 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Scharf on 2015-06-17 Caldwell Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-06-17 Watauga Co. Comment:

Photo Gallery for Araneus nordmanni - an orbweaver