Hump-backed Orb Weaver - Ocrepeira

Note the silk line on the brick

I saw a similar thickish silk line around the twig where I found my specimen. My initial thought when I found my specimen was that it might be one of those bolas spiders and the thick silk was the throw line. I believe bolas spiders have characteristic "horns" on the cephalothorax which rules that out.

I uploaded my own images and emailed Herb Levi. Hopefully he'll help us out.

… Troy Bartlett, 28 January, 2005 - 11:04pm

Bizarrre

I found a very similar one late last year as well. I had never encountered one like it before. Did you see any web nearby? Mine was on a branch with no noticable web.

… Troy Bartlett, 28 January, 2005 - 2:50pm

No web

The only thing I've seen remotely like it is Poltys sp, Argyrodes sp. Chrysso sp. or Cyclosa sp.. Argyrodes seem most like since they live in other spiders' webs, but this one isn't silvery.

… Lynette Schimming, 28 January, 2005 - 3:27pm

Just checking my own photos...

My specimen is very similar in form and coloration. I spent an hour or so tonight digging and still don't have a clue. I'm not even sure it's an orb weaver since I never saw a web. It's so distinctive that I'd expect to run across something somewhere. All the argyrodes I've seen have been much smaller than my specimen.

I may post my pics and email Herb Levi (author of the Golden Guide to Spiders) to come check out both your specimen and mine. If it's an orb weaver he'll know it.

… Troy Bartlett, 28 January, 2005 - 10:28pm

Got a reply from Herb Levi

"Your spider is Ocrepeira sp., most likely O. ectypa (Walckenaer). I have to examine the epigynum on the ventral side to ascertain the species. [...] They are not common."

"I should also have stated that the spider is probably listed as Wixia in any State list."

Looks like we'll have to settle for genus but now we know!

… Troy Bartlett, 29 January, 2005 - 10:16am

very cool.

I had given up on IDing that spider. That's great.

… Lynette Schimming, 29 January, 2005 - 2:37pm