Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Micrathena mitrata - white micrathena


Immature
Male
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: Originally described by Hentz as Epeira mitrata in 1850, it was later transferred to the genus Micrathena, which had been erected in 1833 by Sundevall. "Micrathena": from the Greek adjective for "small" and the name of the goddess Athena, patroness of domestic arts and handicrafts, especially spinning and weaving; "mitrata" from the Latin for "cap" or "turban."
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Levi, H. W. (1985). The spiny orb-weaver genera Micrathena and Chaetacis (Araneae: Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 150: 429-618.
Comments: White abdomen with dark markings and having 4 points (usually black) on posterior end.
Total Length: Females 4.0-6.0mm; males 3.0-3.7mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Eastern states, though not found in Florida peninsula.
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: low forest understory, particularly in humid areas
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Off-vertical orb with closely spaced sticky lines and a hole at the hub.
Behavior: Diurnal
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Micrathena mitrata - white micrathena

41 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-17
Davidson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-17
Davidson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-17
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-17
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-23
Gaston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-05
Henderson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-08-20
Rockingham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-26
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-07
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-10-10
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Polk Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Peifer on 2023-09-04
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Peifer on 2023-09-04
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-03
Harnett Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-11
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-11
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-11
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-09-29
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: H. Quay on 2021-09-18
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2021-08-27
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-06
Caldwell Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2021-07-28
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2020-11-10
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2020-10-07
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-09-15
Alleghany Co.
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Recorded by: Barbara McRae on 2020-09-07
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-08-30
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-17
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2018-09-03
Durham Co.
Comment: