Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

Order:
Scientific Name: Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

Araneus miniatus - Black-spotted Orbweaver Araneidae Members:			NC Records	BugGuide Account	Public View

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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

Araneus allani

taxonomic_comments

In erecting Amamrotypus as a new genus in 1954, Allan Archer had named a fairly obscure Arizona species Am. miniatus. In 1973, Levi synonymized that genus with Araneus, which already included Ar. miniatus. This resulted in a proscribed homonym, whereby two different species would have ended up with the very same name: Araneus miniatus. As Archer had named his species in 1954, while Walckenaer had named the other species (Epeira) miniata in 1841, the latter had priority, and the former, Amamrotypus, species needed a new specific epithet. Thus, the name Araneus allani was duly assigned by Levi who pointed out that he had named it after its original author, Allan Archer.

species_comment

Also called Blackspotted Orbweaver.

id_comments

This small orbweaver has an abdomen that is widest at the anterior end with two lateral humps. The abdomen is reddish brown with a white transverse band near the widest point. The back of the abdomen has paired dark spots. The cephalathorax and legs are pale brown. The center of the cephalathorax is darker brown, widest at the eye region. The legs are faintly banded. Color forms include a dark black one with bright white band, paler brown form, milky white/green form, a spotted black/white form, a reddish form with an orange band instead of white. White band is variable can be split in middle, wider and cross like, but typically not as extensive as in A. pegnia. Cephalahtorax varies less but pattern consistent.

total_length

Very small, female 3-4.7 mm, male 2.5-3.7 mm

structural_features

silk_web

fld_guide_descriptions

online_photos

prey

Frequently captures mosquitoes.

predators

behavior

Active at night, returning to the retreat during the day.

distribution_reference

technical_reference

Levi, H. W. (1973). Small orb-weavers of the genus Araneus north of Mexico (Araneae: Araneidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 145: 473-552. Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Bugguide

adult_id

1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only

abundance

Uncommon

distribution_comments

Statewide in North Carolina. Occurs in eastern United States, New England to Florida and west to Texas. Adults early spring to early summer.

checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom	Frequency Regular – almost always observed on given visit; >=90% chance of observation Frequent – usually observed on a given visit; >=50%<90% chance of observation Infrequent – observed less than 50% of visits; >=25%<50% chance of observation Occasional – observed on only on a small minority of visits; >=10%<25% chance of observation Seldom – not usually seen on visits; <10% chance of observation These terms refer to visits to appropriate habitats made at appropriate times of the year, making use of common sampling/observation methods. Under those conditions, Frequency refers to the chance of observing at least one individual on a given visit made anywhere within a particular region, or over multiple visits to a single site.

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

Open and swampy woods, pines, scrub oaks, southern hammocks, maritime forests and barrier islands.

observation_methods

Visual observation, at night in web or in retreats during the day.

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Araneus miniatus Black-spotted Orbweaver
	Recorded by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: body 4 mm	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment: Fort Macon State Park
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Brunswick Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Durham Co. Comment: male
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: Sweep net
	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn Surry Co. Comment:	Recorded by: FKW Gates Co. Comment: MEMI

Photo Gallery for Araneus miniatus Black-spotted Orbweaver