Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
Araneus (either the genus or the Latin word meaning "spider") + -ella (a Latin ending meaning "little")
Gender: Feminine
Numbers
There are two known species in the US and Canada:
1) A. displicata has been recorded in these US states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NT, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
and these Canadian Provinces/Territories: AB, BC, MB, NF, NS, ON, PQ, SK, YT
2) A. proxima has been recorded in these Canadian Provinces/Territories: AB BC NL NT QC SK
*A. cucurbitina has been recorded in CO & CT, according to the Nearctic Spider Database, but bugguide has chosen to leave this off our species list since that information is not accepted by current publications, like The World Spider Catalog.
Identification
In separating A. displicata from A. proxima:
1) Range - If it is found in the US it should be A. displicata.
2) Coloring - A. proxima is described as having abdomen yellow to white while A. displicata can be yellow to white or sometimes red or green.
3) Spot Pairs -
A. proxima has 1-3 dorsal spot pairs while
A. displicata has 3-4 dorsal spot pairs.
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