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Photo#720540
Spotted Orbweaver Spider - Neoscona crucifera

Spotted Orbweaver Spider - Neoscona crucifera
Radford, Virginia, USA
August 21, 2012
Is this an orbweaver? I'd appreciate an ID, if possible.

Moved tentatively
Moved from Spotted Orbweavers. This is our best guess at this time.

Hi Nancy
We're just not sure of this one. It's an odd duck. =] It has the hairier look of crucifera but the bolder pattern like arabesca. It even resembles nautica, though I think that's a less hairy species.

 
Ahhh, the mysteries of nature!
Hi Lynette,
I am learning to "mess" with spiders more when trying to get their pics. However, they do wiggle and crawl so fast that it's hard to hold my camera in one hand and hold on to the critter with the other. I do check my "spider wall" as often as possible so perhaps I will find another one like this as the weather gets warmer.
Thanks for your continued help!
BTW - There should be a binomial for Odd Duck:)

We would have said
N. crucifera

 
Yes
I was also leaning toward N. crucifera.

Nancy - can you get some close-ups of the epigyne/scape next time you see this pattern? I realize that may not be until next year =]

 
I can try!
BTW - I do not know spider anatomy terms very well - you do want a close-up of the underside of the abdomen?

 
Yes
Take a look at this image.



An image of the scape from straight on and another from the side would be most helpful. Thanks!

 
Cool illustration!
Thanks for the science lesson, Lynette!

Moved
Moved from ID Request. Neoscona, but I'm not 100% sure if it's crucifera or domiciliorum.

 
Thanks,
Lynette, that plenty close enough for a critter that's hiding its eyes and most other identifying features:)

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