Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

Spiders (order Araneae, class Arachnida, subphylum Chelicerata, phylum Arthropoda, superphylum Protostomia, subkingdom Metazoa, kingdom Animalia, domain Eukarya)           Discussion of Taxonomy Source Choices

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All spiders are venomous, but only a couple of species in the US, the Brown Recluse (not pictured on this page) and the Black Widow can do serious harm to humans via their venom.  The Brown Recluse, also called the "violin spider" because of a charactertistic dark marking on its cephalothorax (literally, "head-neck"), is most often found indoors in old houses not protected by pest control.  Black Widows are generally found outside.  The tarantulas of the Southwestern US sometimes bite in self-defense and can sometimes toss spine-like hairs at their attackers.  The harmless North American Funnel Web Spiders (members of the Agelenidae family) should not be confused with the highly venomous Sydney (Australia) Funnel Web Spiders (Atrax robustus), which are members of another suborder altogether (the Mygalomorphae).

Re spider identification questions:  If you are afraid of encountering a poisonous spider in your home (and there are some places where there is real danger), please consider contacting your local North Carolina Agricultural Extension agent  (or the equivalent if you live in another state) for advice.   It may be necessary to consider using pest control if you live in warmer, less developed parts of the US (and various other places in the world).   When I lived in Arkansas, people there complained more about their fear of encountering Brown Recluses than about anything else, with the possible exception of copperheads.   Unlike in Piedmont North Carolina, insects and arachnids (including ticks) were often a source of fear and the risk of getting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was a major concern.

However, if you're confident that insects and arachnids in your area aren't dangerous, feel free to ask questions.  If the photos for a species aren't up to snuff by your standards, by all means say so!

Purseweb Spider (Sphodros genus, Atypidae family, Mygalomorphae suborder)

Mygalomorphs are generally large spiders.  True Tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) are members of this suborder; some are found in the Southwestern US.

The Atypidae are sometimes known as "atypical tarantulas."  There are two genera in the US:  Atypus and Sphodros.

Male Purseweb Spider (Sphodros atlanticus), Eno River State Park, Fews Ford access, top of Cox Mountain, Orange County, NC, 5/27/06.  Family ID thanks to John and Jane Balaban, referring to BugGuide's Purseweb Spider page. Genus, species and sex ID thanks to Jeff Hollenbeck.

Common Orb Weavers (Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Spinning mainly vertical flat, spiral-patterned webs ("orbs") is characteristic of most these spiders, but it is not the most important taxonomically.  Arachnologists consider anatomical structure and behavior to be more important than web characteristics, as exemplified by Willey and Johnson (1992).

Spiny Orb Weavers (Micrathena genus, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These orb weavers have traditionally been considered to be in this family, and I'm betting it will be official in the final classification scheme.  But their genus seems not to have come up for consideration yet.

Micrathena gracilis

These spiders, commonly known as Spined Micrathenas, have five black spines on a mostly white abdomen, at least under ideal circumstances.  I see six spines on some of these, and have no ready answers.

Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis), Durham, 7/28/05. This spider had spun a web across a walking path in my neighborhood that was high enough not to be disturbed by people.	Spined Micrathena  (Micrathena gracilis), Riverbend Park, Catawba County, 9/24/09	Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 8/24/05.

Micrathena mitrata

These spiders have just two spines on their abdomens, but are similar to the gracilis species spiders otherwise.  ID based on remarks about this species near the bottom of the Micrathena Gracilis page of the University of Arkansas' Arthropod Museum Notes.

Micrathena mitrata, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 9/7/07.	Chatham County, NC, 11/9/05.  This one was about ¼ inch long.	Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 9/8/05.  The two spines are not obvious here.	Micrathena mitrata, ventral view.  Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, 9/24/09	Maybe the other side of a mitrata, but just guessing!  Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 10/23/05.  This tiny spider was only about ¼ inch long, so I was surprised to see the "spiny" abdomen.  It was one of only 2 spiders I saw that day.

Arrow-shaped Micrathenas (Micrathena sagittata)

Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 7/30/05.  This spider was in the process of web-spinning.	Another Arrow-shaped Micrathena spider found in the same general area.	Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC,  8/12/08

Crablike Spiny Orb Weavers (Gasterocantha cancriformis, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 10/12/07.  See other spiders.	Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 6/23/06	Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, same spider	Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 6/23/07	Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06	Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, Audubon Swamp Garden, Charleston County, SC, 10/11/07

Star-bellied Orb Weavers (Acanthepeira stellata, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

There are only five species in this genus. 

Star-bellied Orb Weaver (mostly ventral view), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 8/23/09.	Star-bellied spider, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/28/05.   This one reminds of part of a cuckoo clock my mother once had!	Star-bellied spider, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06: ventral view on left, dorsal on right.

Triangulate Orb Weavers (Verrucosa arenata, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Triangulate Orb Weaver (Verrucosa arenata), Indian Creek, 8/2/05	Triangulate Orb Weaver, Little River Park, Orange County, NC, 10/20/07	Triangulate Orb Weaver (Verrucosa arenata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 9/18/05.	Triangulate Orb Weaver (Verrucosa arenata), White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 9/25/05.  ID based on the State of Missouri's spiders page.

Araneus genus members, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae

Araneus and Neoscona are very similar genera, and many of these photos were not taken at an angle that reveals the one tiny difference (the posterior dorsal longitudinal groove), as described at American Museum of Natural History's Orb Weaver Page.  So many of these are guesses.

Araneus marmoreus (Marbled Orb Weavers)

These pictures illustrate the variation in abdominal patterns occuring among members of this species.

Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 9/27/07	Marbled Orb Weaver, Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 10/9/06.	Marbled Orb Weaver?, Nova Scotia, Canada, 10/18/07.  Photo taken by Nancy Crowell.  ID is uncertain, since Nova Scotia may have some spider species unique to the area.	Marbled Orb Weaver, Sybertsville, PA, 9/26/08.  Photo by Ted Reinmiller.	Marbled Orb Weaver.  Photo taken by Steve Harkins, Waxhaw, Union County, NC, 12/25/08.	Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus), Durham, 9/27/05.	Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus), mostly ventral view,  Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 9/16/05

Araneus guttulatus

Araneus guttulatus, Durham, NC, 6/14/08.  A very tiny spider, about 2 mm long.

Araneus alboventris

Orb weaver (Araneus alboventris), very tiny, was hanging by a strand of silk from a tree.  It had recently lost two legs, which were in the process of growing back.

Araneus genus, unknown species

Araneus genus orb weaver, Durham, NC, 8/18/07

Neoscona genus members, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae

Neoscona Crucifera

Spider (Neoscona crucifera), dorsal view, Durham, 9/28/08	Spider (Neoscona crucifera), ventral view, Durham, 9/28/08	Spider (Neoscona crucifera), ventral view, Durham, 8/5/05.   Probably a male.	Spider (Neoscona crucifera, ventral view, White Pines Natural Area, Chatham County, 9/25/05.  Maybe another male.	Spider, side view, Durham, NC, 8/30/06

Other Neoscona genus members

Neoscona domiciliorum, Johnston's Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/25/05	Orb weaver (Neoscona genus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 6/15/07	Orb weaver (Neoscona genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 9/9/06	Orb weaver (Neoscona genus), Durham, 7/6/05

Orb weaver (Neoscona genus), Durham, 8/11/07.  This spider repaired its web every night.	Orb weaver (Neoscona genus), Durham, NC, 8/14/07.  This was apparently the same spider, several nights later, resting after repairing its web.

Argiope genus, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae

Argiopes are standard orb weavers in that their webs are round and flat.

White-backed Garden Spider or Banded Argiope (Argiope trifasciata)

White-backed Garden Spider, Durham, 9/27/05.  Also very well-fed.  Was hanging out next to a large lantana patch visited by many insects.	White-backed Garden Spider, Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 10/15/05, ventral view	White-backed Garden Spider.  Dorsal view of the same spider.  Definitely well-fed!	White-backed Garden Spider, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/17/07  Dorsal view.	White-backed Garden Spider, ventral view of the same spider.

Yellow-and-black Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)

All of these are females.

Yellow-and-black Garden Spider, 9/2/04.  Not so well-fed.	Yellow-and-black Garden Spider, Indian Creek Trail, Chatham County, 8/2/05.  Also not so well-fed.	Yellow-and-black Garden Spider. Close-up of well-fed Argiope. Doesn't look as much like just another Harnett County, NC (8/10/04) spider as it does ... a Spider Woman (at our online store)?	Yellow-and-black Garden Spider, Durham, NC, 10/10/09, with prey.	Yellow-and-Black Garden Spider, Fayetteville, NC, 8/25/06.  Taken by Adolph Thomas. © 2006 Adolph Thomas.	Immature  Yellow-and-Black Garden Spider?, Fort Fisher, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06.  ID tentative:  somewhat different than those seen in the NC Piedmont.  See BugGuide's photo of this type of spider.	Yellow-and-black Garden Spider, Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC   10/1/06	Egg sac of Yellow-and-black Garden Spider on left.  Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC   10/1/06

A long view of a Yellow-and-black Garden Spider, Ozark, MO, 8/12/10.  Photo by Susi Meredith.

Mangora genus, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae

Orb weaver (probably Mangora placida), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/30/07	Orb weaver (probably Mangora placida), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/07

Mangora genus, Durham, 7/30/05	Mangora maculata, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/31/07.  This may be the same species as the spider on the left.	Mangora maculata, Durham, NC, 8/1/07.  This appears to be the same species as the spider on the immediate left.  Genus ID thanks to Jeff Hollenbeck.  Species ID thanks to John and Jane Balaban.

Mangora genus? Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 8/17/05

Acacesia hamata (Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Acacesia hamata, Durham, 7/18/05.  ID provided by John and Jane Balaban.	Spider, (Acacesia hamata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 9/7/07.  This was a very tiny spider, a few mm long.  Its placement on the brown spot of this leaf camouflaged it effectively.

Gea heptagon (Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Spider (Gea heptagon), Durham, NC, 8/21/06

Basilica Spiders (Mecynogea lemniscata, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

In contrast with the flat webs of the orchard spiders, the webs of most of these spiders fill a three-dimensional space and no two threads seem to be in the same plane.  They often are found in groups in contiguous webs.  Maybe they get their common name from this web structure.   They do not weave orb-shaped webs; Willey, Johnson and Adler  say that although some have argued that they should be assigned to the Linyphiidae family on the basis of similarity of web construction; giving greater weight to anatomical structure and behavior as critera led to their Araneidae classification.  This illustrates another problem with common names: orb-weaving is not a universal Araneidae trait.

The two pictures on the left (second row) suggest an aborted courtship (Durham, 7/20/05).  It took place within one of a group of complex webs with elaborate three-dimensional structures.  All webs were apparently spun by spiders of the same species, which had the abdominal patterns pictured in the two photos on the right. 

Basilica spider, Durham, NC, 7/6/09	Basilica Spider, dorsal view of part of the abdomen, Durham, NC, 7/20/05.	Durham, 7/31/05.  With egg sacs.

Basilica Spider, Durham, 6/30/05, wrapping up its prey.	Basilica Spiders.  The large spider approached the smaller spider.	Basilica Spiders.  The smaller spider let the big spider touch it with two feet for a second or two, then they quickly separated.  No accounting for taste (pun intended!)

Unidentified orb weavers, Araneidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae

Another orb weaver, upstaged by its dew-adorned web at the very beginning of the day.	Mystery orb weaver, Durham, 10/29/05.  This tiny spider was the only live orb weaver I saw that day.

Golden Silk Spiders and Allies (Nephilinae subfamily, Nephilidae family, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Golden Silk Spiders (Nephila clavipes)

Female Golden Silk Spider (Nephila clavipes), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 9/16/07.  These are different views of the same spider: ventral, side and dorsal.

Golden Silk Spider couple (big one is female), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/4/09	Male Golden Silk Spider, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/4/09

Long-jawed Orb Weavers (Tetragnathidae family, derived araneoids, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weavers (Tetragnatha elongata)

These spiders are so named because of their unusually large chelicerae, commonly called "fangs," which contain venom-producing glands and end in hollow spikes through which they deliver their venom. 

Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Durham, NC, 8/21/09	Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Durham, 6/13/05.	This same Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weaver sought cover on a form of swamp grass, using impressive camouflage.

Long-jawed Orb Weavers (Tetragnatha genus)

Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Jordan Lake Gameland, Chatham County, NC, 6/19/07	Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Durham, 4/28/06

Orchard Spiders (Leucauge venusta)

Some very beautiful small spiders are easily overlooked.  Orchard Spiders are about 3 mm long (excluding legs) at maturity. 

Orchard Spider, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 9/17/07	Orchard Spider, Durham, NC, 5/27/09	Orchard Spider, Audubon Swamp Garden, Charleston County, SC, 10/11/07.	Another Orchard Spider, also Audubon Swamp, 10/11/07

Orchard Spider, Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort County, SC, 9/20/08	Durham, 6/17/05.

Comb-footed Spiders (Theridiidae family, Theridioidea, Araneoid sheetweb weavers, Reduced pyriform clade, Derived Araneoids, Araneoidea, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These spiders spin cobwebs, which humans detest and songbirds love to use for nesting material.  

American House Spiders (Achaearanea tepidariorum)

American House Spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum) attacking a Marbled Orb Weaver, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, 7/15/06	American House Spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum) with egg sac.  Durham, 7/22/05	American House Spider, Durham, NC, 8/10/07	American House Spider with egg sac.  Durham, 6/14/05.  One of the larger spiders I've seen.	American House Spider with prey, Durham, 7/6/05

Comb-footed spider (Theridion pictipes), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/31/07.   ID thanks to John and Jane Balaban.

Black Widows (Latrodectus genus members) use a neurotoxic venom.   They are outdoor spiders; some are reclusive, while others appear out in the open.  It is unusual to see a male; they are much smaller and very different in appearance.   These spiders are venomous at every age.  It is best to be observant.

Adult female Black Widow Spider, Durham, NC, 5/27/09.  This spider is also shown in the picture on the right.	Two adult female Black Widow Spiders.  The big one on the right (maybe pregnant) was much more reclusive and had made a rare trip outside this dark hiding place. The other disappeared after a couple of days.	Adult female Black Widow, Zebulon, NC.  Photo taken by and provided by Cindy Privette.	Adult female Black Widow, Durham, NC, 7/22/09.  Note dorsal red spots on abdomen.

Black Widow spiderling, one of a large group near a rock crevice on a power line cut in Durham, NC, 10/15/08.  Might be a Southern Black Widow, but not sure.  It matches this  BugGuide picture of Missouri spiderlings.

False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa), venomous but less dangerous than black widows. Durham, 12/30/05.

Sheet Web Weaver and Dwarf Spiders (Linyphiidae Family, Linyphioids, Araneoid sheetweb weavers, Reduced pyriform clade, Derived araneoids, Araneoidea, Orbiculariae, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

All photos in the first row were taken of members of the species Florinda coccinea,  subfamily Linyphiinae member, according to Wikipedia's Blacktailed Red Sheetweaver page and Samford University's Florinda coccinea page.   Levi and Levi (2002) describe this species as yellow-colored (rather puzzling) and most commonly found in the southeastern US. 

This spider family has the most species, although its members are very tiny and probably overlooked altogether by most people.  The two shown below are apparently the most common in Piedmont North Carolina.

Black-tailed Red Sheetweavers (Florinda coccinea)

These spiders usually spins their webs, in the form of horizontal sheets, near the ground in grasses.

Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, Durham, 8/6/05, at edge of local swamp, but still deep in swamp grass.  About ¼ inch long.	Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, same location, 9/3/05.  According to Patrick Moran, this is a male spider; the others are females.  The large pedipalps are the key.	Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, Durham, 7/16/05, local swamp.  Possibly the same species as at left, but maybe not as well-fed.	Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 9/30/06.  This picture was taken on a cool morning when the dew was still on its web.

Female Bowl-and-doily Spider, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/09	Female Bowl and Doily Spider, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 11/21/07	Female Bowl and Doily Spider, Eno River State Park, 10/18/07	Male Bowl and Doily Spider, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/12/08

Filmy Dome Spider, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/18/06.  ID thanks to John Robinson, confirmed by Samford University's relevant page.	Filmy Dome Spider, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, 7/30/09

Ghost Spiders (Anyphaenidae family, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Ghost Spider, Durham, NC, 6/5/09.  Family ID thanks to Lynette Schimming.   Here's the big messy straight dope: Norman I. Platnick's Anyphaenidae family page.	Ghost spider, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07.

Funnel Web Spiders (Agelenidae family, Other Amaurobioids, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These spiders have a two-part web consisting of a horizontal sheet which catches prey and a funnel-shaped tunnel in which the spider hides.   In this way, these harmless (to humans) spiders bear a superficial resemblance to the highly venomous Sydney (Australia) Funnel-web Spiders, members of the Hexathelidae family, suborder Mygalomorphae.   This is a classic example of how common names can cause serious confusion, not the least because web shape is a relatively unimportant spider classification factor.

On our deck, funnel web spiders spin horizontal webs that attach at one end to large round lights, curving partially around them across to the "funnel" end of the web.  Moths drawn to the light find themselves trapped in the web because the web partially blocks their departure from the light.  The web isn't sticky and sometimes moths find their way out.  Yet sometimes the spider is faster, jumping up to bite a flying moth, which lands on the web.  Since these lights are such a recent development in natural history, these spiders' strategic use of them looks a lot like human-like engineering reasoning.  But spiders don't even have real brains: a single ganglion (a bundle of nerves) serves instead.

Funnel Web Spider, emerging from the "funnel" part of its web, Piedmont Wildlife Center, Durham, NC, 5/8/10	Funnel web spider (probably Agelenolopsis genus),  Johnston Mill, Orange County, NC, 7/1/06	Funnel web spider, Boone, NC, 8/7/06	Funnel web spider with moth prey, Durham, NC, 9/24/08.	Funnel web spider?  Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 5/10/07, ventral view.  The light color suggests that it's a recent molt.

Nursery Web Spiders and Fishing Spiders (Pisauridae family, Lycosoidea, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These spiders are noted both for their ability to walk on water and for their spiderlings, which stay together until relatively large.  Their only use of silk is to build their "nursery webs."

Six-spotted Fishing Spiders (Dolomedes triton)

Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) with sea snail, Durham, 5/03/05

Six-spotted Fishing Spider, NC Botanical Garden, 8/17/06.	Six-spotted Fishing Spider, Durham, NC, 6/9/05

Dark Fishing Spiders (Dolomedes tenebrosus)

These spiders can seem to be wolf spiders to those with poor vision.  But they are more likely than wolf spiders to be found in aquatic habitats.

Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus), with egg sac, Durham, 4/25/08	Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus), Durham, 6/23/05	Dark Fishing Spider, Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/9/06. This spider, about ¼ inch long,  was following around a brown worker ant subduing a black winged ant.

Other Dolomedes genus spiders

Some of these spiders can get very big.  But I've never seen any of the big ones personally.

Big fishing spider, a lake in Illinois, 7/9/07, taken by Danielle Lessing. © 2007 Danielle Lessing	This picture gives a better picture of how big this spider was.  Ms. Lessing said it seemed to be five inches across.

Nursery Web Spiders (Pisaurina mira)

Nursery Web Spider, Durham, 6/22/05.	Nursery Web Spider, Durham, NC, 8/14/08	I'm guessing these are Nursery Web spiderlings.  Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 9/16/05.

Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae family, Lycosoidea, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These are very big spiders at maturity.  Although they are not known to administer venomous bites, I once had a close call with a full-size Wolf Spider: it had found its way into an empty shoe and surprised me with a painful nip that left deep indentations on my heavily callused toe when I put the shoe on.

Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida), Durham (edge of swamp), 10/24/05.  This spider was about ½ inch long and very timid, may be immature.	Wolf spider, Durham, 10/28/05	This large wolf spider was carrying a bunch of spiderlings on her abdomen at Johnston Mill, Orange County, NC, 7/15/06.	Giant Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis), Durham, 3/22/06.  This relatively large spider was scrambling around on the edge of a creek, sometimes in the water, sometimes on leaves or blades of grass.

Lynx Spiders (Oxyopidae family, Lycosoidea, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans)

Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 7/17/09	Green Lynx Spider(Peucetia viridans), Durham, 7/16/05.  This one showed up in my local marsh.	Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 9/3/06

Striped Lynx Spider (Oxyopes salticus)

Striped Lynx Spider (Oxyopes salticus), with small green prey, Boone, NC, 8/6/08	Striped Lynx Spider, with large black prey, Durham, 8/16/08.

Crab Spiders (Thomisidae family, Dionycha, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These spiders don't spin webs; instead, they wait in ambush for their prey. 

This female Smooth Flower Spider or White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) was apparently eating a fly on Siler's Bald in Macon County, NC, on 8/10/05.	Female Smooth Flower Spider or White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) with Eastern Tailed Blue prey, Durham, NC, 9/28/08	Smooth Flower Spider or White-banded Crab Spider, North Carolina Museum of Art outdoor trail, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07, with grasshopper prey.	Flower Spider or White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes, Thomisidae family), on a Little-leaf Sensitive Briar flower, Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, 9/24/09

Crab Spider, Durham, 8/13/05.  Apparently lying in wait for prey.	Tiny crab spider (with prey), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06.	Female Flower Spider (Misumenops asperatus), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/2/05.

Crab Spider, Durham, 8/17/06.  Showed up on door to our deck.	Crab spider (Xysticus genus).  Durham (swamp in my neighborhood), 9/22/05.	Crab spider (Xysticus genus), Durham, 10/1/05.  Also found in local swamp.  This spider was about ⅛ inch long.	Crab spider, Durham, NC, 5/17/08	Crab spider, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/12/08

Crab Spider, Wannamaker County Park, Charleston County, SC, 3/28/06	Crab spider, White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 11/11/06	Crab spider with ant prey, Durham, NC, 5/27/09	Crab Spider, Bassaniana genus maybe, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC, 5/7/09

Crab spider, Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 6/23/05.  This one showed up on my car.	Mystery crab spider, Penny's Bend, 8/23/05

Running Crab Spiders (Philodromidae family, Dionycha, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Running crab spider (Philodromus genus perhaps), Durham, NC, date unknown.  ID thanks to John R. Maxwell.	Metallic Crab Spider (Philodromus maxi) spider, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/9/07

Ground Spiders (Gnaphosidae family, Gnaphosoidea, Dionycha, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

These are mainly nocturnal spiders that hide under rocks during the day, but every now and then we get a glimpse of them scurrying across a walking path.   They may be often overlooked because they look like ants from a distance.  However, they should not be confused with the "ant-mimic" spiders of Corinnidae, which look like brown ants up close.

Gnaphosa muscorum? Durham, 6/9/05.  You can see only six legs, but this small (magnified) spider apparently lost some.	Gnaphosa muscorum?Durham, 6/16/05.  The abdomens have different colors and different numbers of spots.	Ground spider (Sergiolus capulatus), Durham, 2/17/06	Ground spider (Cesonia bilineata), Durham, NC, 6/13/06.  The large abdomen suggests that this is a pregnant female.

Ground sac spider (Castaneira longipalpa), American Tobacco Trail (miles 0-2), Durham, NC, 5/2/10	Ground sac spider (Castianeira longipalpa), Southpoint Swamp, Durham, NC, 9/26/07, a moderate-sized spider.  Thanks to Lynette  Schimming for genus ID.	Ground sac spider (Castaneira longipalpa), Durham, NC, 7/7/08	Corinnid spider (Castaneira longipalpa), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 6/18/09

Red-spotted Ant Mimic (Castianeira descripta), Durham, NC, 11/20/07	Red-spotted Ant Mimic Spider, Durham, 5/18/08

Jumping Spiders (Salticidae family, Dionycha, RTA Clade, Entelegynae, Araneomorphae)

Jumping spiders seem to have excellent vision and quick response times.  One thing that's obvious is that they can make big moves, such as 180° complete turnabouts, almost instantaneously, and don't need to have a completely horizontal surface to do it, either!  They are pounce on prey rather than using webs to catch it.

Lyssomaninae subfamily

Lyssomanes genus

Young Magnolia Green Jumping Spider (Lyssomanes viridis, subfamily Lyssomaninae), outdoor trail at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07	Adult Magnolia Green Jumping Spider (Lyssomanes viridis), which showed up on my hat at the Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 5/22/09

Dendryphantinae subfamily

Three views of what may be a Metaphidippus genus jumping spider.  Durham, NC, 5/23/09.  Am confident of the subfamily classification.

Jumping spider (Metaphidippus genus?), Eno River State Park, Few Ford Access, 10/18/07	Jumping spider (Metaphidippus genus?), Durham, 6/22/05.

Paraphidippus genus

Jumping spider (Paraphidippus aurantius), Mason Farm Biological Reserve (area north of the creek), 4/28/07

Phidippus genus

Phidippus clarus

Jumping spider (Phidippus clarus, maybe), Durham, NC, 6/15/08	Jumping spider (Phidippus clarus) with prey, Durham, NC, 5/29/08

Phidippus whitmani

Male jumping spider (Phidippus whitmani), at Abbott Lake, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09

Phidippus audax

Daring Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax), displaying green chelicerae, Durham, NC, 10/10/09	Daring Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax), Durham, 4/16/06

Phidippus mystaceous

Jumping spider (Phidippus mystaceous), Occoneechee Mountain, October 29, 2009

Pelegrina genus

Peppered Jumper (Pelegrina galathea), Durham, NC, 5/8/08

Marpissinae subfamily

Platycryptus genus

Tree Trunk Spider (Platycryptus genus), Durham, 9/19/05.	Jumping spider (Platycryptus undatus), Durham, 8/14/07.  This was a relatively large spider, at least 13 mm long and very lively.	Jumping Spider (Platycryptus undatus),Durham, NC, 7/13/06.  It is missing its left foreleg.	Jumping spider (Platycryptus genus), Durham, 6/20/05

Maevia genus

Dimorphic Jumper (Maevia inclemens), Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 7/27/07

Pelleninae subfamily

Colorful Creek Bank Spider (Habronattus decorus, Pelleninae subfamily), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/14/06.  About ⅛ inch long.

Thiodininae subfamily

Jumping spider (Thiodina sylvana), about 5 mm long. Durham, NC, 10/3/09

Unidentified Jumping Spiders

Jumping spider with prey, Dare County, NC, 10/5/05.	Jumping spider, Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 8/17/05.  Look at all those eyes!  In the picture on the right, the spider faced toward me, but maybe was looking at me the whole time!

Spider Exuviae

Spider exuvia, Durham, NC, 7/25/09

Mystery Spiders: unknown or uncertain/unconfirmable taxonomic classifications

From time to time spiders present ID problems and photos are shown here.  See if you can figure out what kinds of spiders these are.  If you know the answer, contact us.

Jumping spider with prey, possibly a winged termite. Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/20/07.	Phidippus genus?Boone, Watauga County,  8/29/05

Spider, Durham, 7/31/05.  Another tiny, hard-to-see spider.   Kevin Pfeiffer thinks that its "tightly balled pedipalps" and "prickly" surface suggest that it's a male orb weaver.

Probably a running crab spider (Philodromus dispar)Durham, 7/28/05.  This tiny spider showed up at the swamp in my neighborhood.

This little spider was busily spinning a web, apparently unhindered by its having only three full-size legs and maybe one other in the process of growing back.  Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 9/16/05.

This looks like a marsh crab spider, found on the shoulder of a road going over Lake Crabtree, Wake County, NC, 10/13/05.  Maybe an Araniella genus member?