Arachnids of North Carolina
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Leucauge venusta - orchard orbweaver     Tetragnathidae Members: NC Records BugGuide Account Public View
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Orb web horizontal, not vertical
Duller individual
Typical coloration
Ventral "venus" red crescent
Immature
Distribution Records
PDF

Vetting Levels
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
synonym
taxonomic_comments The type for this species, Linyphia (Leucauge) argyrobapta White,1841, was based on a specimen collected by Charles Darwin (the only spider he's known to have documented!) during the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, which specimen was subsequently lost after publication of its description.

A neotype was not established until 2010 when one based on specimens collected in the type locality was established. At that time, L. venusta was declared a senior synonym of L. argyrobapta, but in 2018, argyrobapta was removed from that synonymy, and is now recognized as a separate species. These two species are grossly differentiated by geographic range (venusta is more northern and found in temperate climes, while argyrobapta is typically more tropical and coastal).

Although there may be some generalized marking difference, more precise determination requires microscopic examination of the genitalia. "Surprisingly,", according to Ballesterosa and Hormiga, 2018,these are not sister species, as their "estimated age of divergence implies that the morphologies in this two species...have remained seemingly invariable for at least 10 million years.

species_comment
id_comments At this writing (2023) we (NCBP) are considering to be venusta those specimens having a single, crescent shaped ventral spot anterior to the spinnerets. (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2021/07/Leucauge_venusta1625505475.JPG). Conversely, those having in addition a ventrolateral pair of orange-yellow colored spots dorsolateral to the spinnerets on the opisthosoma are taken to be argyrobapta (https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/photos_records/2022/03/Leucauge_argyrobapta1646412242.jpg).
total_length Female 3.7-8mm, male 3.2-5.1mm
structural_features
silk_web An orb, usually horizontal or at an angle to the horizontal, with tangled lines beneath. Usually constructed in low bushes or branches: Frequently in sunny, but moist, temperate locations. Commonly found in suburban and urban settings.
fld_guide_descriptions The prosoma is light brown with a dark median stripe. The opisthosoma is silver white and has a pattern of dark lines and yellow to orange spots. The dorsal opisthosoma has a dark central line and two lateral lines that run parallel the entire length. Some smaller diagonal lines connect the lateral lines to the central lines. There is often yellow shading within this area and, sometimes, yellow or orange spots near the posterior. The ventral opisthosoma is dark, with a copper-orange crescent-shaped marking (which in some cases is yellow). (Rose, 2022)
online_photos
prey
predators
behavior
distribution_reference Ballesteros, J. A. & Hormiga, G. (2018). Species delimitation of the North American orchard-spider Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneae, Tetragnathidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 121: 183-197.
technical_reference

Ballesteros, J. A. & Hormiga, G. (2018). Species delimitation of the North American orchard-spider Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneae, Tetragnathidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 121: 183-197.

adult_id 1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only
abundance Very common
distribution_comments Found in all US coastal states, with scattered distribution between the east and west coasts. Widely found in NC.
checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
 Frequency
checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_pd
Piedmont
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_cp
Coastal Plain
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
habitat Shrubby meadows, forest edge, urban and suburban settings (Rose, 2022).
observation_methods
state_protection
NHP_ranks
NHP_status
status_comments

Photo Gallery for Leucauge venusta orchard orbweaver

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP
Nash Co.
Comment: Juvenile swept from weeds & grasses. Living, immature spm (ca. 3mm) to be photographed at later date(s).
Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP
Nash Co.
Comment: Juvenile swept from weeds & grasses. Living, immature spm (ca. 3mm) to be photographed at later date(s).		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different specimen of Leucauge Venusta than any others I previously submitted.		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different specimen of Leucauge Venusta than any others I previously submitted.
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different specimen of Leucauge Venusta than any others I previously submitted.		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Mitchell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: Same specimen as those I recorded on June 14th and 15th and July 1st. (And the three photos I just submitted on the previous submission recorded on July 17th.)		Recorded by: Brandi Holliday
Martin Co.
Comment: Found in my house, moved outside and is happily living on my porch now. Our area is an old family farm surrounded by pine farms.
Recorded by: Brandi Holliday
Martin Co.
Comment: Found in my house, moved outside and is happily living on my porch now. Our area is an old family farm surrounded by pine farms.		Recorded by: Brandi Holliday
Martin Co.
Comment: Found in my house, moved outside and is happily living on my porch now. Our area is an old family farm surrounded by pine farms.
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different female specimen of Leucauge Venusta to my previous submissions.		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different female specimen of Leucauge Venusta to my previous submissions.
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A different female specimen of Leucauge Venusta to my previous submissions.		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A pair of Orchard Orb-Weavers, one male, one female, photographed along Muddy Creek Greenway at 8:32 am.		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: A pair of Orchard Orb-Weavers, one male, one female, photographed along Muddy Creek Greenway at 8:32 am.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Henderson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: Same specimen as that submitted earlier today. Photographed on the following day.
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: k.nealson
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA - pasu residence		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Anson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Montgomery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Stanly Co.
Comment: Both male.		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Stanly Co.
Comment: Both male.
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Haywood Co.
Comment: The red blotch was present on the ventral surface. 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
McDowell Co.
Comment: 1 male and 1 female. 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Chatham Co.
Comment: White Pines Survey
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Columbus Co.
Comment: Do not see the two red or reddish (yellow) spots at the base of the opisthosoma, characteristic of L. argyrobapta.		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Columbus Co.
Comment: Do not see the two red or reddish (yellow) spots at the base of the opisthosoma, characteristic of L. argyrobapta.
Recorded by: David George, Steve Hall, Gary Perlmutter, Blanka Aguero, Meriel Goodwin, Lisa Gatens
Chatham Co.
Comment: Being eaten by a jumping spider, Pelegrina proterva. 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp
Greene Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp
Greene Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Lee Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Lee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment: 1 individual with 1 small web
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp
Harnett Co.
Comment: There was a single red chevron on ventral surface of opisthosoma. 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Duplin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Duplin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Pitt Co.
Comment: Sandy pine-mixed hardwood forest above Tar River.
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Pitt Co.
Comment: Sandy pine-mixed hardwood forest above Tar River. 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 1.7 mm, caught in a sweep of low vegetation
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 1.7 mm, caught in a sweep of low vegetation		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 1.7 mm, caught in a sweep of low vegetation
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Harnett Co.
Comment: Several immatures encountered in low scrub.
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: In webbing on my garage wall.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: In webbing on my garage wall. 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Travis McLain
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: George-Anne & Matt BROWN, Donald ZEPP
Franklin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: George-Anne and Matt BROWN, Donald ZEPP
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment: No a clear shot		Recorded by: Dee Stuckey, Savannah Hall, and Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. Frozen Creek Access.		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Orange Co.
Comment: ventral view
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Mickey
Iredell Co.
Comment: LANO
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Rowan Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Early instar
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: Juvenile. Beaten from Osmanthus. Molt 04 March. Died 27 March '22		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: Juvenile. Beaten from Osmanthus. Molt 04 March. Died 27 March '22
Recorded by: John Petranka
Durham Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)		Recorded by: John Petranka
Durham Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021_2022)		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka
Durham Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-22)
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins
Person Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Travis McLain
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76692015		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Barbara McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: In situ photos
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: In situ photos		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Henderson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.Phillips
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM - Sycamore Trail
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Recorded by: J.Phillips
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM		Recorded by: J.Phillips
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Cypress Point Trail		Recorded by: j.wyche, n.dominick
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Lassiter Trail b/t visitor center & Millpond Rd
Recorded by: j.wyche
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - near visitor center		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: STMO - Very common in woods and along trails on Combs Knob @ -81.033096, 36.365492
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on trail b/t visitor center & Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - cypress point trail		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. on the Palmetto Boardwalk. @ -76.904554, 35.475463
Recorded by: R. Preston
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Anderson
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM - Obs. outside Visitor Center.