Long-jawed Orbweaver

Description:

This is a very diverse genus of spiders. This one was about 15 mm (.7 inch) long, including legs. Their abdomens are long and slender while their jaws are large, hence the name "Long-jawed."

Habitat:

Edges of forests and grasslands, often near water. I found this one on a white pine just up the hill from a pond.

Notes:

These spiders are secretive. Often they lie quietly in their webs along the edge of a twig--like the one is doing in the second photograph--hoping to go unnoticed.