Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Mangora maculata - Greenlegged orbweaver


Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: Maculata is derived from the Latin word maculosus, meaning "spotted".
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide
Comments: Abdomen is pale, often almost completely unmarked except for two rows of small black spots on the back of abdomen surrounding a darker area. Cephalothorax and legs are green to yellowish green in color. Males and immatures are paler overall. This is the only Mangora species in North America north of Mexico that lacks a black median line on the carapace. The spiders in the genus Mangora have tufts of long, thin sensory hair (trichobothria) on the front edge of the tibiae of leg III.
Total Length: Very small, female total body length 3.6-5.5 mm, male total body length 2.7-4.0 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Frequently found throughout the state and eastern United States. Adults can be found early summer through autumn.
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 of moist eastern deciduous forests, understory vegetation, floodplains, edges of marshes, swamps, dune grasses and bogs.
Observation Methods: Visual observation, sweep netting.
Abundance/Frequency: Common.
Silk / Web: Small orb web has closely spaced strands and is usually oriented in a horizontal plane.
Behavior: Egg case is constructed among dry leaves.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Mangora maculata - Greenlegged orbweaver

Photos: 6

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-27
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-04-22
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2019-06-01
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-09-26
Rockingham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-07-22
Stanly Co.
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