Hi Chris. I agree this looks like a tough one, and I really should ask my friend Robin Leech what he used. Having said that, I did an image search for both species, and I think I do see some consistent differences. Neriene seems to have a different shape to the abdomen, being higher and more rounded dorsally. It also seems to have a generally lighter cephalothorax, especially laterally. Finally, the broad black lines on the side of the abdomen of Frontinella seem to connect with the black dorsal stripe with a thin black line. If these are good differences, then I believe that at least one, and maybe two of the images on the Frontinella pyramitela page are actually Neriene radiata. Have a look and let me know what you think. I will also ask Robin about this.

I am not very "initimate" with sheetweavers, and based on what you have noticed/described, I would agree that we might have a couple Neriene genus images (possibly 1 or 2 as "Bowl and Doily" spiders, and possibly some more in the Linyphiinae image section). I had dismissed the differences to variations within the species, since they were labelled as F. pyramitela.

If or when you get confirmation from Robin about the characteristic differences, please let us know. We'll add it to the guide page info section, which will definitely help differentiate between them. Thank you very much for your submissions and for your help and expertise!

Hi Chris. I just talked with my friend Robin and had him look at the photos on the Frontinella guide page. He agreed with me that three of them are not Frontinella, but rather Neriene. These are the one of the pair, the one right beside it with the green background, and the one that is placed just under the genus Frontinella. He was not willing to say that all were Neriene radiata, but the one of the pair looks highly likely. I should say that he considers the shape of the abdomen to not be a good characteristic, as that can change so much based on how well the spider has fed and whether it is gravid or not. The main thing he was looking at was the maculations on the abdomen. He did say that in the next few days he would go to his literature and try to write up a simple key telling the difference.

So often with people like Robin, identifications are based on just knowing the spider, and I suspect that this is a large part of how he made the ID. I would suggest that you take those three photos out of Frontinella and place then in Neriene, but for now keep them at the generic level.

Thank you Terry! This is a very big help, not to mention a wonderful learning opportunity (for me). I have moved the images that you and Robin have ID'd as potential Neriene onto the Neriene genus image page. A basic key for telling the differences between the two genera would be great. (Also please tell Robin that the "bugguide.net people" say thank you for his assistance!)

Thanks again!

the general Araneae pages where you will find images of yet to be identified spiders such as which could use some help.

This is clearly not a Linyphiid. The legs are much to short, and I can clearly see that the web is a typical orb web. I do not have my books here, they are all at work, but I will try to remember to look this one up when I get to work on Monday.