Immature Marbled Orbweaver? - Araniella displicata

Moved

Moved from Spiders. From Rod Crawford: This is clearly A.displicata. Out of range for any other.

… Lynette Elliott, 14 November, 2010 - 12:26am

According to the guide page for A.displicata,

this spider has not been documented in KY. Can this be correct?

… Rich Hoyer, 14 November, 2010 - 11:22pm

Hi Rich,

The info page here at BG doesn't indicate the source of the data, so I can't comment on that, but Dondale et al. (2003) do give as the range "south to California, Arizona, and North Carolina", which would include Kentucky. So Kentucky is not out of the question. You might ask around as to whether anyone nearby is keeping a regional or statewide species list.

-Kevin

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 15 November, 2010 - 9:54am

Thanks Kevin.

… Rich Hoyer, 15 November, 2010 - 11:51am

No, I don't think it is Araneus marmoreus, but rather most likely an Araniella species (displicata/proxima), or possibly something else.

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 11 November, 2010 - 2:34am

Araniella displicata or Araneus gadus

Levi, 1973 mentions that two can be confused, and also includes Conepeira marilandica which is now Araneus cingulatus, but I don't see that as a likely ID here. My gut says Araniella displicata, but I haven't figured out how to be 100% sure.

Your spider appears to be a juvenile male.

… Lynette Elliott, 11 November, 2010 - 2:56pm

> Your spider appears to be a juvenile male.

When I look at the dorsal view above, I tend to believe you, but if I look at the other images, I'm left wondering -- how you can tell?

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 11 November, 2010 - 3:06pm

Best guess

I looked at all the pedipals and believe they show slight swelling. That's why I said appears to be, I'm not 100% sure.

… Lynette Elliott, 11 November, 2010 - 3:44pm

Okay. :-)

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 11 November, 2010 - 4:00pm