The Spined Micrathena Spider

When taking a hike through a forest trail, you are likely to walk into a strategically spun spider web. It makes sense: insects are more likely to fly down an open trail than through a dense forest. If you manage to catch sight of a web before walking into it, look for the crafty spider that spun the web, usually sitting near the center. Micrathena spiders have spiny, hard, glossy abdomens and although the majority live in the American tropics, several species are common in North American gardens and forests.

The spined micrathena (Micrathena gracilis) is common in early successional forests. The female is nearly ½ inch long with the whitish to yellowish abdomen comprising at least half her total length. The abdomen has ten pointy spines with light and dark striations along the side. From the side the abdomen is angular in shape. The less commonly seen male spined micrathena is only about ¼ inch in length with less spines and a flat elongated abdomen. The web of the spined micrathena is a small, delicate orb web of about 6-8 inches across. As with many other orb weavers, it usually has one very long non-sticky silk thread leading to a leaf or branch above the web, providing the spider with an escape line. The spider in the today's photo used her escape line when her web was unintentionally destroyed by a hiker.

Today's photo and information by WPC's Outreach Assistant at the Sideling Hill Creek Center Mandy Smith.

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