Spined Micrathena Spider - (Micrathena gracilis)

The thorny spikes and bumps on the abdomen of the Spined Micrathena Spider are not typically found on Orbweavers.

Staff Writer (7/23/2015): The ridges on the abdomen of the female spider are believed to render it unappetizing to predators. The pointy spines would hurt the mouth of the predator, making the Spined Micrathena Spider not worth the meal. The coloration may act as camouflage since this species resides in dense forests where specks of light may be all that gets through to the forest floor. That said, colors vary per individual. Some are very brown, others all black and white.

The male lacks the sharp ridges and may be more white or more black in color. Their waists are more narrow than females. Females sit in the center of the web, waiting for insects to get trapped by the silk threads. As an Orbweaver Spider, the web is built in a circle or spiral shape. Orbweavers tend to rebuild their webs every day. This species is most active in the summer and can be found in dense woods or forests.

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Details of the:
Spined Micrathena Spider

Category: Spider
Common name: Spined Micrathena Spider
Scientific Name: Micrathena gracilis

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Arachnida

Order: Araneae

Family: Araneidae

Genus: Micrathena

Species: gracilis

Size (Adult, Length): 4mm to 10mm (0.16in to 0.39in)

Identifying Colors: black; white; yellow; brown

Additional Descriptors: bumpy, biting, venomous, spikes

North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Alabama; Arkansas; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma;Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas;Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Ontario; Quebec

* Keep in mind that an insect's reach is not limited by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.

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