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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Orb Weavers (Araneidae) » Bolas Spiders (Mastophora)
Photo#719739
Bird-dropping mimic orb weaver? - Mastophora - female
Copyright © 2012 Gerry Bishop

Bird-dropping mimic orb weaver? - Mastophora - Female
Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia, USA
October 31, 2012
Size: About 1/2 inch in diamete
This spider was resting on a leaf, tethered with strands of silk. The day was cold and blustery, so I assume this is its normal dormant state. I've looked through my ID guides to no avail. Any help would be much appreciated.
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Contributed by Gerry Bishop on 2 November, 2012 - 4:08pm
Last updated 3 November, 2012 - 10:29am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.From the pattern and the location, we would think this is M. hutchinsoni. The spider group will be discussing these as soon as we finish Zygiella, so we'll see if we can confirm that ID for you. Great find and great image - can really see the face on this one, thanks.
… john and jane balaban, 2 November, 2012 - 5:18pm login or register to post comments

 
Mastophora
Thanks so much, John and Jane. I will go with the M. hutchinsoni ID until I hear otherwise.
… Gerry Bishop, 2 November, 2012 - 7:57pm login or register to post comments

Looks like a Bolas Spider


The spider experts will be able to say for sure.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 2 November, 2012 - 4:15pm login or register to post comments

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