Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Cyclosa conica - a trashline spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: Cyclosa: From Greek - 'to move in a circle, circling spider', referring to the spinning of the web.
Species Comment: Also called Humped Trashline Orbweaver.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide; Stabilimentum decorated webs spun by Cyclosa conica trapped more insects than undecorated webs: http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v26_n1/JoA_v26_p101.pdf;an examination of the structure and genitalia of Cyclose and Eustala: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4314711#page/79/mode/1up
Comments: Variegated brown and white abdomen and brown cephalathorax. The end of the abdomen is extended into a variable lobe. Can be distinguished from C. turbinata by the absence of two humps near the wide part of the abdomen. Males with cephalathorax black, abdomen black with variable white spots, legs variable orange, in adults legs will show white at base of legs and some black bands.
Total Length: Small, female total body length 3.6-7.9mm, male total body length 3.5-4.9mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Common throughout North Carolina and throughout the US and Canada. Mature from mid-may to summer, males in spring, females in spring to summer. Egg sac is round and golden yellow.
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: old field, marsh, forest edge
Observation Methods: Visual observation. If the web or the debris line is touched the spider will fall from the web or move across from its trashline.
Abundance/Frequency: Common.
Silk / Web: Small orb web that usually has a line of accumulated debris, a trashline, placed vertically through the center on a band of silk. The debris includes the indigestible remains of prey and fragments of dry leaves. Sometimes the only the silk band/stalimentum is present or the webs is not decorated.
Predators: Wasps and hummingbirds.
Behavior: Spider sits beneath the debris line in perfect camouflage. Adult females attach their egg cases to nearby twigs or leaves, not the webs. Small individuals and sometimes adults vibrate the web violently when disturbed. This is probably a defense against wasp or hummingbird predators.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Cyclosa conica - a trashline spider

Photos: 19

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Bertie Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-06
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-07-07
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, C. Bowers, H. Anderson, J. Brown on 2021-04-21
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Barbara McRae on 2020-11-13
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-27
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-05
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-05
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae on 2020-07-25
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-06-18
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-01-28
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-01-28
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-01-28
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. McRae on 2019-05-09
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-04-22
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2018-10-28
Jones Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-09-25
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-03-25
Harnett Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2012-09-14
Wake Co.
Comment: