Arachnids of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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Microhexura montivaga - Spruce-fir Moss Spider     Sole representative of Microhexuridae in NC NC Records BugGuide Account Public View
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Immature female

Adult female

Silk retreat

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
species_comment
id_comments Brownish-yellow to a dark reddish brown. One set of spinnerets very long and curling upward.
total_length Adults 3-4 mm
structural_features
silk_web
fld_guide_descriptions
online_photos
prey Springtails and other small insects
predators
behavior Can take three years to reach maturity due to low temperatures and slow metabolism. Courtship in late spring early summer, with eggs present and hatching through mid summer. Retreats within moss layers or rock crevicies.
distribution_reference
technical_reference
adult_id 1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only
abundance Rare but present locally in proper habitat
distribution_comments Restricted to six mountain ranges in the Southern Appalachians of NC, VA and TN.
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 high-elevation spruce-fir forests; found under moss growing on rocks
observation_methods
state_protection Arachnids are not given any protection under state law.
NHP_ranks G1 S1
NHP_status SR
status_comments Federally endangered; endemic to North Carolina and adjacent Tennessee

Photo Gallery for Microhexura montivaga Spruce-fir Moss Spider

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 2.8 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.3 mm female with egg sac, 2.7 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.5 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.5 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.5 mm female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: 3.5 mm female
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 9 individuals
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 9 individuals
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 2 females, one with egg sac
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 2 females, one with egg sac
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 2 females, one with egg sac
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
Comment: 2 females, one with egg sac
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4 females, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and 2mm
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 2 female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 2 female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, S. Cameron
Yancey Co.
Comment: 2 female
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Deep gap trail from Cattail peak to Big Tom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yancey Co.
Comment: Commisary Ridge surveys