Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
The latin name, lemniscata, meaning "hanging ribbons", appears to be descriptive of the eggsacs.
The common name comes from the shape of the snare, resembling the domed ceilings inside some cathredrals
(2).
Size
Female 6-9mm, Male 4-6.6mm
(1)(3)(2)
Females to 13mm according to Levi
(4)Range
District of Columbia south to Florida and west to Colorado.
(3)(1)Habitat
Found in forest understories and bushes
(3)(4)(2). I've photographed them in Leyland cypress adjacent to my house in Georgia. Females create an orb web pulled into a dome with an irregular shaped web nearby where she waits
(3)(1).
Life Cycle
The female attaches egg sacs to each other vertically in her dome shaped web.
Remarks
Specimens have been found in mud dauber nests
(3).
There appears to be disagreement about whether the snares contain sticky silk. Jackman says no
(3), but Edwards and Marshall say yes
(2).
Print References
Excellent photos and information in Florida's Fabulous Spiders
(2).
