Neoscona arabesca

Neoscona arabesca
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Araneomorphae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Neoscona
Species: N. arabesca
Binomial name
Neoscona arabesca
(Walckenaer, 1841)

Neoscona arabesca is a common orb-weaver spider found throughout the United States and Canada.[1] Often called the "arabesque orbweaver," after the cryptic, brightly-colored, swirling markings on its prominent abdomen, this spider can be found in fields, forests, gardens, and on human structures. Neoscona species are among the most common and abundant orb weavers and are found on all continents.[2] Females range in size from 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) and males 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in).[1]

N. arabesca females build a vertical web measuring 15–45 cm (5.9–17.7 in) in diameter, with 18-20 radii. The hub is open and crossed by only one or two threads. At night, the female rests in the center of the orb with the tip of her abdomen pushed through the open space. During the daytime, she hides in a retreat away from the web, usually inside a curled-and-tied leaf.[2] Male N. arabesca can often be found in nearby foliage or hunting on the ground.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Bugguide.net Neoscona arabesca - Arabesque Orbweaver
  2. 1 2 Berman, J. D., & Levi, H. W. (1971). "The orb weaver genus Neoscona in North America" 141. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College. pp. 465–500.
  3. Cirrus Digital Orb Weaver Spider - Neoscona arabesca


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