Aculepeira ceropegia - Danish Spiders

Aculepeira ceropegia (Walckenaer, 1802)

≤ 1900

1901-1979

1980-2005

2006 ≤

Description: Aculepeira ceropegia is instantly recognised by the shape of the abdomen, which is pointed at both ends and by the characteristic white lobes on the folium. Size: Female ? mm; male ? mm.

Genus: Aculepeira Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942.

Family: Araneidae Simon, 1895 (Typical Orb Weavers). Characters of family: The araneids belong to the group of ecribellate spider families having 8 eyes and 3 tarsal claws. The eyes are arranged in 2 rows of 4 with the lateral eyes widely separated from the medial eyes. The carapace is often flat with a distinct head region. The chelicers are strong having a lateral condyle (boss at base of chelicer). Labium is wider than long and rebordered (swollen at anterior edge). Maxilla (basal part of palp used for chewing prey) are widest anteriorly. Legs with 3 claws and often furnished with strong spines and trichobothria on all segments except tarsi. Often legs are clearly annulated. The abdomen is usually globose and nearly always with species-specific often bright colour patterns. The abdomens of some species are round-shouldered while others have humps, the latter species often referred to as angulate orb weavers. Some tropical species have large outgrows on the abdomen. A colulus (midline appendage or tubercle) is present in front of the anterior spinnerets. The tracheal spiracle is situated close to spinnerets. Araneids belong to the entelegyne group of spiders often having large and complex epigynes sometimes with a large flexible scapus (finger-, tongue-, or lip-like projection arising in the midline of the epigyne). The male palp is complex.

Female

Female abdominal markings

Female

Female head