Orb Weaving Spider

Very interesting spider and one I have not seen before. There are characteristics that are very nephila such as the proportions of the leg lengths, particularly the short third pair. The shape of the carapace is also similar to nephila, but these features are also seen in leucauge sp. spiders. Leucauge features that stick out on this spider are; the narrowing of the carapace at the front being more severe than on nephila, the legs seem generally shorter and have pronounced hairs. Nephila legs are more hairless, except for brushes on the second segment of the rear legs. The greenish leg coloration and the dorsal patterning is very similar to leucauge that I have seen. So, although I cannot give you a species, of even nail it 100% to leucauge, I feel that this is where you should look for an ID. Dave