Cyclosa sp. - Cyclosa conica

Moved

Moved from Trashline Orbweavers. Based on range, pattern & no should humps I think this is the correct ID.

… Lynette Elliott, 19 November, 2012 - 9:21am

Moved

Moved from Cyclosa conica. Awaiting expert review. (I couldn't find any other that looked quite like it.)

… John R. Maxwell, 18 November, 2012 - 1:19am

Trashline Orbweaver

Moved from ID Request.

Eddie,
I'm going out on a limb with this one, but I reasonably sure of the ID. No worry, the spider ladies keep a close watch on their babies. If I'm wrong, they'll catch it like a jumper catches a hopper :) BTW thank you for your contribution.
Robert

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 17 November, 2012 - 11:04pm

That's Wild!

Eddie,
A spider mimicking a treehopper I've never seen before. One thing about bugz, you can never say you've seen it all. While I don't know spiders, I did find this Cyclosa conica, which looks like yours. A spider specialist will know. BTW welcome to BugGuide. You're off to a good start :)
Robert

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 17 November, 2012 - 12:56pm

Cyclosa sp.

Robert - It does look "something" like it. I also noted that there were only 5 species in BugGuide's range. C. conica looks most like it. Am I safe using this determination? Thanks for the encouragement, also. I read your biography and see that I am in good company. - E.

… Eddie Dunbar, 17 November, 2012 - 10:07pm

It's either ...

E,
This is either an eight-legged Glossonotus or a Cyclosa conica. I normally don't even attempt to ID spiders myself. It's enough just focusing on moths & leafhoppers, but I've taken a special interest in this spider. Mimicry generally protects the prey from the predator. So, what does mimicking a treehopper afford this spider, which is a predator by nature? As hoppers are the favorite food of jumpers, perhaps this spider mimics a planthopper, so it can sneak up on them? I think it would be a stroke of irony, if a jumping spider attacked it :)
Z

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 17 November, 2012 - 11:00pm

Hmm

Don't orb weavers sit and wait for prey to come to them instead of going out and stalking something?

… R. Berg, 20 April, 2013 - 7:27pm

orb-weaver

Correct. This orb-weaver is very likely sitting in a retreat area or has just been displaced from its web. This type of spider doesn't go out and stalk prey.

… Lynette Elliott, 21 April, 2013 - 8:55am