Spiders of North Carolina

Arachnids of North Carolina

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

Araneus trifolium - Shamrock 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

Another common name Pumpkin Spider.

id_comments

The name of this spider is derived from the distinct pattern of light spots on the abdomen, said to resemble a shamrock. The base color of the abdomen is often cream colored, but may be green yellow or red. The cephalathorax is distinctly marked with three broad dark lines, one down the center expanding to cover the head region, the other two along the side of the carapace. The legs are boldly banded.

total_length

Large, female total body length 9-20 mm, male total body length 5-8 mm

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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

Occasional

distribution_comments

Most common in mountain region of North Carolina. Ranges across Canada, south to California, New England to North Carolina. Adults July through October.

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

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Piedmont

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

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Coastal Plain

Regular	Frequent	Infrequent	Occasional	Seldom

habitat

open habitats, particuraly moist areas, marshes, swamps and bogs, grass bald, forest edge and old fields.

observation_methods

Web built in low bushes or grasses. This spider can change color of the body to match the background. The red form is found among red or orange colored leaves in the autumn. The spider waits in its retreat among the vegetation near the web, holding a signal line connected to the hub. The large egg sac with a great many eggs is laid in autumn. The young usually emerge in spring but sometimes in late fall.

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