Spined Micrathena
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| Spined Micrathena | ||||||||||||||||
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| Micrathena gracilis (Walckenaer, 1842) |
Micrathena gracilis is a spider in the family Araneidae (orb-weavers), commonly known as the Spined Micrathena. This spider spins a moderately large (may be 30 cm or more across), very tightly coiled web, often in wooded or brushy areas. It is completely harmless to humans.
[edit] Physical characteristics
The only web-building members of the species are the females. They exhibit a bulbous abdomen with a total of ten spines. Males exhibit a fair amount of sexual amorphism. They tend to be around only half the size of the females. Also, they have fewer spines, a flatter abdomen, and a slightly lighter tone. Although males can produce silk, they mostly use it in the mating ritual, which frequently also proves fatal.
[edit] Life cycle
Micrathena gracilis hatches in the spring, the image of an adult. After the summer's growth, the female lays eggs in a sack. These remain relatively dormant through the winter months. The general life span is one year in length.
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