Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Eustala emertoni - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: formerly called E. triflex
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide; an examination of the structure and genitalia of Cyclose and Eustala: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4314711#page/79/mode/1up. See also: Levi, H. W. (1977). The American orb-weaver genera Cyclosa, Metazygia and Eustala north of Mexico (Araneae, Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 148: 61-127.
Comments: Legs with only femora banded, abdomen oval without hump, which separates this from others in the genus. Males difficult to distinguish from others in the genus.
Total Length: Small, female total body length 3.4-7.6 mm, Male total body length 3.8-5 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos

Illustrations from Levi, H. W. (1977). The American orb-weaver genera Cyclosa, Metazygia and Eustala north of Mexico (Araneae, Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 148: 61-127.
Epigynum and scape of 20230908001
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Very uncommon throughout North Carolina and a handful of states in the southeast and mid-Atlantic states.
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: forest edge, fields, pine forest, marshes.
Observation Methods: Sweep netting.
Abundance/Frequency: Very uncommon.
Silk / Web: Small orb web.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Eustala emertoni - an orbweaver

Photos: 12

Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-08
Johnston Co.
Comment: Living specimen. Epigynum can be seen in "Structural photos," above.		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-08
Johnston Co.
Comment: Same specimen, but several hours after death.
Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-08
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-28
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-12-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-12-01
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-05-19
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-05-19
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2020-08-17
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2020-08-17
Scotland Co.
Comment: