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Orchard Spiders (Leucauge genus)

Unknown species, Dare County, NC, 10/6/05.  Apparently with prey.	Orchard spider, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 10/11/06

Probably venusta species

Some very beautiful small spiders are easily overlooked.  This is a sexually dimorphous species (see Bugguide's picture of Orchard Spider couple ) and shows a lot of patterns of wear and tear.  I'm making my guess about which sex is which on the assumption that females have the large abdomens (sometimes, when they're pregnant).  (Note: unless otherwise noted, all of the orchard spiders were about ¾ inch long). 

Females

Durham, 6/9/05.  Note: this was a very small spider, about ¾ of an inch long including legs.		Durham, 7/14/05, view 1.	Durham, 7/14/05, view 2.	Durham, 7/5/05	Durham, 6/27/05.  This seems to be a pregnant female.

Durham, 6/21/05.	Durham, 6/21/05, another view of spider on left.	NC Botanical Garden, 7/2/05	Durham, 7/12/05.  This seems to be a member of the same species as the spider on the right.	Two views of one orchard spider, Durham, 6/17/05.

Another NC Botanical Garden orchard spider, 7/2/05	Durham, 6/21/05	Duke Gardens, 7/24/05	Durham, 6/21/05.

Males

Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 6/23/05.	Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 7/6/05	Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 7/6/05, same as spider on left	Two views of same spider, Durham, 7/20/05.

Durham, 6/11/05.	Durham, 6/11/05 (same spider)	Johnston Mill, Orange County, NC, 7/1/06

Immature?

Smaller orchard spider (about ⅓ inch long)

 © 2006 Dorothy E. Pugh