Orchard Spiders

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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).

Orchard Spiders (Leucauge genus)


Orchard Spider, a coastal variety, Dare County, NC, 10/6/05. Apparently with prey.	Orchard Spider, Unknown species, Eno River SP, Durham County, NC, 4/28/06	Orchard Spider, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 9/17/07	Orchard Spider, Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort County, NC, 9/20/08


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, 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.


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)