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Project Noah Nature School
Cyclosa turbinata
Tiny orb weaver spider. It builds a vertical stripe down the center of its web, called a stabilimentum, made up of pieces of dead insects and other debris (see third photo). It hides on this string of debris, and its natural coloration makes it extremely difficult to see until it moves.
Spun between the wooden rails of a gazebo. And had been there long enough to amass a varied collection of debris for its web. Left an empty place on its stabilimentum, slipped into it in the last photo ... maybe its favorite perch?
Originally ID'ed as Cyclosa conica ... corrected 10-5-13.
Very good spotting and your description very informative. These common names are so poetical, I love, but the sci names are tasteless, hard to swallow. :))
Been thinking. Two questions. One, has the spider chosen and arranged its web "trash" in an uncanny facsimile of its own coloring and pattern ... or is that just the debris that was available, a coincidence? Two, under the debris in the first photo, there seems to be an ovoid shape ... could it be an egg sack?
You are welcome; getting back to PN slowly after several weeks off downsizing and moving. I n a new location now, exciting what you can find just a few miles away :)
Dunno. I almost walked right by this spider and its fascinating web. I'm a plant person mostly, expanding my interests ... and my eyes are getting more aware. Thanks again for going on the trashline trip with me.
Sure thing; I kind of like the common name even if not official. Who makes common names official, I wonder :)
Thanks, gatorfellows ... I edited the common name. Even if it's not official ... it's quite descriptive of the spider's web. And I think you're right about the species, turbinata instead of conica. Would you like to "Suggest an ID"?
Hi Suzanne; I am not a spider person, but found your spotting interesting. I went looking for a common name and found this article from Bug Eric; http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2012/06/spid...
He refers to them as trash line orb weavers and gives a good "how you tell" Cyclosa conica from Cyclosa turbinata. Your spider appears to have humps on the top of the abdomen like a female Cyclosa turbinata. http://bugguide.net/node/view/559620
I was able to find this fascinating spider's scientific name, but not a common name. Anyone know? I saw it referred to as a "trash line spider" in one place ...
Spotted on Oct 2, 2013
Submitted on Oct 5, 2013
