Species Enoplognatha ovata

Classification · Identification · Internet References

The woods was full of Enoplognatha - Enoplognatha ovata - male

The woods was full of Enoplognatha - Enoplognatha ovata - female

Ovata eating Harvestman - Enoplognatha ovata

White Cobweb-Weaver Spider - Enoplognatha ovata - female

Partial ventral view - Enoplognatha ovata - male

Guarding eggs - Enoplognatha ovata - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Araneae (Spiders)

Infraorder Araneomorphae (True Spiders)

No Taxon (Entelegynes)

Family Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)

Genus Enoplognatha

Species ovata (Enoplognatha ovata)

Identification

Enoplognatha ovata has several color morphs. This one is form lineata, with several pairs of dorsolateral spots, but no red stripes.

Form redimita has two dorsolateral red stripes running the length of the abdominal dorsum.

Form ovata, the least common morph, has a solid red band running the length of the abdominal dorsum (upper surface of the abdomen).

Source: David Wise & Paul Reillo, Frequencies of Color Morphs in Four Populations of Enoplognatha ovata in Eastern North America, 1984. ~ Andrew Reding

Internet References

~ psyche.entclub.org - PDF article by David Wise & Paul Reillo, Frequencies of Color Morphs in Four Populations of Enoplognatha ovata in Eastern North America, 1984.

Contributed by john and jane balaban on 31 July, 2005 - 4:37pm
Additional contributions by Lynette, Kevin Hall
Last updated 26 August, 2009 - 9:04am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version