Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

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

Araneus saevus - an orbweaver Araneidae Members:			NC Records	BugGuide Account	Public View

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Distribution Records
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Vetting Levels

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

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synonym

taxonomic_comments

species_comment

Previously known as Aranea solitaria

id_comments

Medium to large spider with conspicuous humps on the abdomen. Most individuals are grayish or black. Some individuals closely resemble A. nordmanni. A. saevus typically has more lobes in the folium on the abdomen. There is a distinct white median line at the front of the abdomen that distinguishes this from other Araneus. Sometimes can show a white, yellow or orange band like A. miniatus. Another color morph is solid orange in color, and median line can be yellowish.

total_length

Moderate size, female Total Body Length 11-17 mm, male Total Body Length 9-11 mm

structural_features

silk_web

fld_guide_descriptions

online_photos

prey

predators

behavior

distribution_reference

technical_reference

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

Mountain region of North Carolina. Widespread throughout Canada and New England, south to North Carolina. Adults late summer through autumn, peak in September.

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

Found on large trees in forest and forest edge

observation_methods

state_protection

NHP_ranks

NHP_status

status_comments

Photo Gallery for Araneus saevus an orbweaver
	Recorded by: Weaver Ashe Co. Comment: NERI	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. White Pine bathhouse. ID confirmation by D. Zepp.
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. White Pine bathhouse. ID confirmation by D. Zepp.	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. at the Grassy Ridge gate counter. Female. @ -82.951964, 35.096991
	Recorded by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG - Obs. at the Grassy Ridge gate counter. Female. @ -82.951964, 35.096991	Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn McDowell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Donald Zepp Watauga Co. Comment: Hiding in exterior mirror of car. Elev. ca. 1300m (nominally 4267 ft).	Recorded by: Donald Zepp Watauga Co. Comment: Hiding in exterior mirror of car. Elev. ca. 1300m (nominally 4267 ft).
	Recorded by: tom ward Buncombe Co. Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.	Recorded by: tom ward Buncombe Co. Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.
	Recorded by: tom ward Buncombe Co. Comment: not sure about species, but was identified as fierce orbweaver on iNaturalist. i am not an expert & am not sure as i do not see the distinct line mentioned in your description. it came to moth light sheet on rainy night. surrounding habitat is dense rich cove forest in conservation easement. i have another observation from back in the woods to add if you all verify this one.	Recorded by: tom ward Buncombe Co. Comment: Observed at approximately 3500 feet elevation at headwaters of a creek, probably best described as rich cove forest surrounded by oak/hickory forest, though kind of a unique area & botanically different from most of the rich cove forest in this conservation easement.
	Recorded by: tom ward Buncombe Co. Comment: Observed at approximately 3500 feet elevation at headwaters of a creek, probably best described as rich cove forest surrounded by oak/hickory forest, though kind of a unique area & botanically different from most of the rich cove forest in this conservation easement.

Photo Gallery for Araneus saevus an orbweaver