Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Araneidae Members: NC Records

Neoscona domiciliorum - a spotted orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Comments: This species was originally described in 1847 by Hentz as Epeira domiciliorum, retaining that name until until 1892, when Keyserling described it as E. benjamini. Ultimately, benjamina was sunk as a synonym and became Neoscona crucifera, while the entire family Epeiridae was sunk as being but a part of the Araneidae and the genus Epeira declared to be a junior synonym of Araneus, the species ended up as N. domiciliorum! (Yeah, it's complicated.)
Species Comment: A fairly large (as the genus goes) spider with variable markings, N.domiciliorum can be confused with other Neoscona spp.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: The prosoma is orange to brown and often covered with white hairs. The opisthosoma is boldly marked with a pale cross shape surrounded by dark brown, and it is tan to cream on the lateral edges. The ventral opisthosoma is black, with horizontal yellow dashes at the epigastric furrow and paired longitudinal yellow dashes toward the spinnerets. The legs have red to orange femurs, and the distal segments are banded. These spiders can be difficult to distinguish from other Neoscona species. (Rose, 2022) BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description:

Berman, J. D. & Levi, H. W. (1971). The orb weaver genus Neoscona in North America (Araneae: Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 141: 465-500.

Comments: Variable markings and colors can make this species difficult to determine, as it may be confused with other Neoscona spp.
Total Length: Females 7.2-16.2mm, males 8.0-9.0mm
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Eastern states, increasingly common to its southern range, and thence west to Texas.
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, shrubby areas, frequently on man-made structures.
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Large, vertical orbs, often in shrubby areas and near human structures.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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 Photo Gallery for Neoscona domiciliorum - a spotted orbweaver

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

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Duplin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Johnston Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Lenoir Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-21
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-21
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-09
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-09-06
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-15
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-28
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-20
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-15
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-06-29
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-25
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-10-17
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2023-10-11
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-09
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kim STONE & Donald ZEPP on 2023-09-19
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-19
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-19
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-09-16
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Polk Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2023-09-03
Harnett Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-10-27
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-10-27
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: L. Eckart on 2022-10-26
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-10-17
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-10-12
Durham Co.
Comment: