Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Mangora spiculata - an orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: From latin spiculo, meaning "stab"
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Abdomen pale white with more than three rows of black spots that widen into blotches, and usually has faint yellow crosswise bands. Cephalothorax is greenish with a dark brown central stripe. Legs are greenish and covered in stout hairs. Abdomen has less black than M. placida, especially towards the front. 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 2.4-4.3 mm, male total body length 1.9-2.2 mm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Frequently found throughout the state and eastern United States, more common in the southeast and coastal areas. Adults spring through summer.
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: Understory vegetation of pine oak woodlands, open fields.
Observation Methods: Visual observation, sweep netting.
Abundance/Frequency: Frequent.
Silk / Web: Small orb web in low vegetation and grasses, finely meshed.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Mangora spiculata - an orbweaver

Photos: 17

Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-20
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-10
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-08-26
Randolph Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-29
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-10
Iredell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-08-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: H. Quay on 2021-08-22
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-09-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-09-15
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-26
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-26
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-19
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Bo Sullivan on 2019-05-01
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2012-10-14
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2012-09-14
Orange Co.
Comment: