Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Larinia directa - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Bugguide
Comments: Abdomen long and slender, tan to orangeish in color with a series of longitudinal stripes. There are usually two rows of five or six small dark spots. On the underside of the abdomen there is a light median stripe with black stripes on either side. Some forms can be boldly marked in orange, light almost white, gray and may show a dark stripe on dorsal surface of abdomen. Cephalathorax and legs can be the same color with fine sparse hairs. Males are similar with a shorter but still narrow abdomen, with light colored legs covered in black speckles. Immature's can be a pale dull gray, with distinct leg setae. The somewhat similar marsh orbweaver (Neoscona pratensis) has shorter legs and an abdomen that is not as thin. Larinia has an abdomen that is about three times as long as wide. Longjawed orbweavers (Tetragnatha) also have long abdomens but they have distinctive large protruding jaws. Slender Crab Spiders, genus Tibellus roost similarly but legs are stretched straight forward and not folded.
Total Length: Small, female total body length 4.8-11.7 mm, male total body length 4.5-6.5 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Uncommon throughout most of North Carolina and the southern United States and as far north as the mid Atlantic. Males spring through fall, females all year.
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, grasslands, open country.
Observation Methods: Visual observation, sweep netting.
Abundance/Frequency: Uncommon.
Silk / Web: Small oblique orb web built low in grasses and herbaceous plants.
Prey: Small invetebrates.
Behavior: Rests in curled leaves with legs spread forward and backward in a narrow tuck. When threatened it may run to side of web and hang vertically with two front pair of legs folded and pointing forward, and rear legs spread out, in order to narrow and distort it's image.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Larinia directa - an orbweaver

Photos: 26

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-31
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Randy Newman on 2024-10-28
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-06
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-13
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Bertie Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Martin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2024-02-22
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-10-23
Greene Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-02-23
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-01-01
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2022-01-01
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-26
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-13
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-12-29
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-12-29
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-12-29
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-09-30
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-10-04
Granville Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-08-24
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-05-12
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-04-10
Rockingham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2012-06-07
Halifax Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2011-07-30
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: FKW on 2006-07-05
Gates Co.
Comment: