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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynes » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Achaearanea » Common house spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum)
Photo#52611
Garage Spider - Achaearanea tepidariorum
Copyright © 2006 Red Ryder

Garage Spider - Achaearanea tepidariorum
Raphine, Augusta County, Virginia, USA
May 14, 2006
I raised a seldom used garage door the other day and saw a dead bumble bee entrapped and swinging from a lead hanging down from a spider web at the bottom of the door. After getting over the surprise I found the spider in the attached images. This "garage spider" came down to the carcase from the main web every few minutes to, I presume, feed on what must be its biggest catch. (Images 1 & 2) He was fascinating to watch.

Is this a filmy dome spider?

Images of this individual: tag all
Garage Spider - Achaearanea tepidariorum Garage Spider - Achaearanea tepidariorum
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Contributed by Red Ryder on 17 May, 2006 - 1:07pm
Last updated 3 June, 2006 - 6:49am

where do they live?
i live in soldotna alaska, the summer temp is anywhere from 60-95, i have found spiders that look exactly this, i do not have a picture of them....perhaps if i find more this summer i will post some.
what other colors do they come in? i have also found some that are bright yellow/white stripes and black/white stripes.
… jamie l. dooley, 17 May, 2006 - 3:16pm login or register to post comments

 
Garage Spider id
Thanks for your comment. Another commentor was able to id this as the common house spider at this link:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6918/bgimage

The images at the top of the page top are identical to mine. As far as the color goes, there are some other shots showing molting specemins; may be your spiders are going through this change.
… Red Ryder, 18 May, 2006 - 1:34pm login or register to post comments

No, I don't think it's a filmy dome spider
My guess would be a cobweb weaver of some kind. Maybe something in the Achaearanea? See comparison shots here.
… Lynette Schimming, 17 May, 2006 - 2:15pm login or register to post comments

 
Garage Spider id
Thanks for the id. The link revealed spiders identical to mine.
… Red Ryder, 18 May, 2006 - 1:29pm login or register to post comments

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