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Oak Spider

Aculepeira ceropegia

Photo by injica
Published on Project Noah
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45.0338, 13.6977

Field Notes

Description:

Adult oak spiders reach body lengths of 7 - 14 mm, the males, (7 - 8 mm) being significantly smaller than the females (12 - 14 mm). The front section of the body (prosoma) is almost uniformly dark and is considerably lighter in the direction of the eyes. The dark, base color is hard to see because of the presence of thick, white hair. he abdomen (opisthosoma) is narrow, arched and tapers to the rear. The upper side is yellowish brown and has a fine, dark, pattern. In the middle is a bright marking in the shape of an oak leaf, hence their name. The upper leg (femur) is brown in colour, while the lower limbs are ringed with narrow, bright and dark bands.

Habitat:

A. ceropegiae are widespread mainly in Southern and Central Europe and are common in suitable habitats. They are not commonly encountered in the northwest and are not found in the British Isles and southern Scandinavia. Nevertheless, the oak spider is not endangered. The oak spider prefers habitats with open, sunny areas of all kinds, especially dry grassland and wasteland, but also wet meadows and forest clearings. It is found at altitudes of up to 2000 m

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)

Tnx! Well this location is anyway prohibited to entry is just that I wasn't listening to the instructions so if you are reading the signs-dont worry!
Oh gosh so many likes :)) Tnx you all
It is a very nice photo and an interesting "angle" of the spider. The pattern of the body is also extraordinary beautiful! Thank you Injica :)
Oh I have found it now :) you were right http://www.yuruyoruz.com/aid=380.phtml
True, it looks like one on your link but apart from that link I haven't found any oak spiders that look like that and I have capture one myself some time ago http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/31146107 I need somebody who can confirm it...I'm just not sure!
It's a lovely capture! Looks like an Oak Spider - http://www.insectoid.info/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider/oak-spider/ Regards!!

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