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cobweb spider

cobweb spider (Phoroncidia americana)
Photo © Hank Guarisco

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
This tiny species varies from five one-hundredths to seven one-hundredths of an inch in length. The body is compact and hard. The abdomen is brown and lumpy and has dark-colored pits at the base of its hairs. Legs are pale with dark bands.

BEHAVIORS
Adults are active from May through September. The web is made of a single line of sticky silk. The spider hangs from the end of the line.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Theridiidae

Illinois Status: common, native