Arachnids of North Carolina
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Neoscona crucifera - Spotted 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)

Click on graph to enlarge
synonym
taxonomic_comments This species has borne many scientific names since its original description as Epiera crucifera by Lucas in 1898, including E. lentiginosa, E. hentzii, E. domiciliorum, Aranea c., Neoscona benjamina, N. arkansa, N. nebraskensis, N. sacra, N. hentzii, and N. hentzi.

Interestingly, Simon erected the genus Neoscona in 1864 when he was only 16 years old, and his mastery of Greek seems to have been rather "shaky" (Look Who's Talking Dept. --dbz): It is relatively clear that he meant "spinning among the reeds," but Neoscona translates literally as "spinning a reed." In 1869, Thorell charitably tried to correct this with the spelling "Neoschoena," but this was rejected by Bonnet (1958) who decided that the original spelling should be retained "even if incorrectly written"—although he agreed with Thorell.

The specific epithet crucifera references the cross-like markings that sometimes are visible on the opisthosomata of these spiders.

species_comment Although this species does not have a common name recognized by the American Arachnological Society, among its colloquial names are: cross orbweaver, Hentz (or Hentz's) orbweaver, arboreal orbweaver, or rusty-red Neoscona, though the last of those can be misleading, as they are often other colors, including brown, orange, and gray, and can have no markings to speak of or even resemble the usually more distinctly marked N. domiciliorum.
id_comments While the marking of N. crucifera can be confused with those of N. domiciliorum, the adult females can readily be distinguished by the former's much longer and distinctly lobed scape.
total_length Females 10-12mm; males 6-8mm
structural_features
silk_web Large orb freshly made each evening, and taken down in the morning, the spiders hiding in nearby leaves for the daylight's duration.
fld_guide_descriptions The prosoma is yellow to brown, and it often has abundant hairs. The males often have a dark prosoma with a median stripe of light-colored hairs. The opisthosoma is highly variable in color and markings. Some are overall tan to yellow and can look very much like Eriophora ravilla. (Note that the ventral markings are quite different.) Others are boldly patterned and easily confused with Neoscona domiciliorum (in which case, examination of the genitalia may be the only way to confirm a species-level identification). Most have a tan to brown abdomen, with a lighter cross in the middle. The ventral opisthosoma is black, with horizontal yellow dashes at the epigastric furrow, and paired longitudinal yellow dashes toward the spinnerets. (Rose, 2022)
online_photos
prey
predators
behavior Large orb webs are often suspended in low vegetation and on human structures.
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 Commonly found in forest edges, in shrubs and bushes, and around homes especially near lights.
distribution_comments Mostly eastern, but extends to AZ and CA in the west.
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 disturbed forest, often near buildings
observation_methods
state_protection
NHP_ranks
NHP_status
status_comments

Photo Gallery for Neoscona crucifera Spotted Orbweaver

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Gaston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
Comment: Best guess as to species; probably too small to be an adult.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
Comment: Best guess as to species; probably too small to be an adult. 		Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Rowan Co.
Comment: Large female.
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Rowan Co.
Comment: Large female. 		Recorded by: David George
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Zachary Harris
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP
Greene Co.
Comment: Beaten from tree
Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP
Greene Co.
Comment: Beaten from tree		Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP
Pitt Co.
Comment: Beaten from hiding spot in tree
Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment: Webs spun in the eaves of the structure behind the dam.		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Terrell Tucker
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment: OVVI Overmountain Victory Trail
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick
Alamance Co.
Comment: I am unsure of the species. If N. crucifera is incorrect I'd like to know the correct determination.		Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick
Alamance Co.
Comment: I am unsure of the species. If N. crucifera is incorrect I'd like to know the correct determination.
Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick
Alamance Co.
Comment: I am unsure of the species. If N. crucifera is incorrect I'd like to know the correct determination.		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Pamlico Co.
Comment: Immature female captured on RV handrail during evening crepuscular hours. Had not yet started a web.
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Pamlico Co.
Comment: Immature female captured on RV handrail during evening crepuscular hours. Had not yet started a web.		Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Pamlico Co.
Comment: Immature female captured on RV handrail during evening crepuscular hours. Had not yet started a web.
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. ranger residence.		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. ranger residence.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman; L. Eckart
Carteret Co.
Comment: THRO
Recorded by: Owen McConnell & Silas Beachler
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: M. Haynes
McDowell Co.
Comment: BOCR - Vein Mtn area
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal
Henderson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carl DavyRomano
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Carl DavyRomano
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: PAUL W BROTCKE
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: She wasn't happy with me at noon, but didn't really care in the evening.
Recorded by: PAUL W BROTCKE
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: She wasn't happy with me at noon, but didn't really care in the evening.		Recorded by: Jacob
Wake Co.
Comment: Web from the house to a large bush. Appears to be eating a bee.
Recorded by: Heather Rayburn
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Heather Rayburn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male, recorded to show palps		Recorded by: Donald ZEPP
Johnston Co.
Comment: Male, recorded to show palps
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment: Stung by velvet blue mud dauber		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Morgan Freese
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Morgan Freese
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Granville Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Thomson
Orange Co.
Comment: ENRI - Walk from Fews Ford to bridge and through shortcut path back to Piper Cox House - Seen on Piper Cox House porch
Recorded by: Pat Momich
Madison Co.
Comment: Hoping to confirm the ID.		Recorded by: Pat Momich
Madison Co.
Comment: Hoping to confirm the ID.
Recorded by: Maria Allen
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Maria Allen
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Barbara McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: When spotted, it was cutting a leaf free of its web.		Recorded by: Barbara McRae
Macon Co.
Comment: When spotted, it was cutting a leaf free of its web.
Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: In orb web by door of house. 22h20		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Mickey
Stokes Co.
Comment: HARO - Feeding on Fawn Darner. ID's by Brian Bockhahan @ -80.223090, 36.392179
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on visitor center
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on visitor center		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: STMO - Along new section of Blackjack Ridge Trail. @ -81.045413, 36.385450		Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: Web was spun from the overhanging eave of our house
Recorded by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: STMO - Along old horse trail (closed section) at power line crossing near Martin's Low Gap. @ -81.024213, 36.369680		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - by the shop & old office
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the bathroom at the group walkin site
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the group walkin site bathroom		Recorded by: k.nealson
Orange Co.
Comment: OCMO - outside ocmo ranger residence - eating an american horsefly
Recorded by: K. Safley
Ashe Co.
Comment: ELKN - on porch of Jacob's House		Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the ceiling of the overhang outside the visitor center
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - dead on the sidewalk behind the visitor center; I believe these were accidently dropped by a mud dauber.		Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - dead on the sidewalk behind the visitor center; I believe these were accidently dropped by a mud dauber.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. ranger 2's residence. @ -76.901443, 35.480050
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. ranger 2's residence. @ -76.901443, 35.480050		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2's residence. @ -76.901422, 35.480103
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2's residence. @ -76.901422, 35.480103		Recorded by: Steve McMurray
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD - Caught a huge meal -Katydid - with Katydid
Recorded by: Steve McMurray
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD - Caught a huge meal -Katydid - with Katydid		Recorded by: R. Preston
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Recorded by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: