Came across these two spiders (likely male and female) around the Ashley River in South Carolina near Charleston. Leg patterns seem to correspond with a brown widow, but cannot place the lower body, especially the markings and the bulbous red end. Picture shows large spider (female?) from below - didn't manage to get a shot from above due to the location. Web seems to be a spiral orb web. Does anyone know which spider species this is?
Spider ID needed - South Carolina
- Thread starter Vyvyan
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Absolutely not a widow with that gorgeous orb web! That's a pair of Golden Silk Orbweavers, Nephila clavipes! You are so lucky - I wish we had those out here in SoCal!
Comparison pictures: http://bugguide.net/node/view/128392 and http://bugguide.net/node/view/963423
Comparison pictures: http://bugguide.net/node/view/128392 and http://bugguide.net/node/view/963423
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Hello, fellow South Carolinian! As I commented on one of your photos, the large one is a golden silk orbweaver (Nephila clavipes), and the tiny one is a male suitor. (It's not uncommon to find several males in the same female's web.)
These spiders are truly gentle giants (unless you're a bug) -- my favorite local species. If you're lucky, she will stay in the same location for weeks. (One year, I had a female living next to our shed for the entire summer and fall.)
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We do have some great spider species (as well as good restaurants and interesting historic sites).
Duriana
Arachnoknight
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Awesome find!