Id Please - Eastern Shore of MD

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
spgfr Delmar, MD May 09, 2016

The spider isn't over 5-6mm in length. The moth is about 15-18mm and its camouflage is the best I've seen.

Thanks...

Thumbnail by spgfr Thumbnail by spgfr
Post #10225035
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND May 10, 2016

Once more, you show a penchant for finding the unusual - The moth is a litter moth in the genus Palthis in the family Erebidae (formerly a subfamily of Noctuidae); likely Palthis angulalis, the dark-spotted palthis - http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Palthis-angulalis, but the spider has me (temporarily at least) stumped. From what I can see of the web, it appears to be that of a typical orb weaver, but the spider is anything but. I'll have to get back to this later...

Post #10225128
Quote
spgfr Delmar, MD May 10, 2016

Thanks again. I've always suspected that we have lifeforms here unknown to modern science.

Post #10225136
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND May 10, 2016

Re: The spider - Did you happen to notice if there were any odd bits hanging in or next to the web? See http://spiderzrule.com/1010/IMG_1849a2.jpg for an example. If so, the spider might be one of the so-called 'trashline orb weavers' - see http://pre04.deviantart.net/4fe1/th/pre/f/2015/038/0/3/cyclosa_by_melvynyeo-d8h0rvp.jpg for an example.

Post #10225206
Quote
spgfr Delmar, MD May 10, 2016

Here's the uncropped image with the exposure pushed to better show the web. I thought this spider might be a trashline orb weaver because of the body shape, but its web and coloring don't look much like the trashlines I've seen. Then again, I'm not sure I've ever seen an immature trashline.

Thumbnail by spgfr
Post #10225284
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND May 10, 2016

Nope - Doesn't look like a typical trash line web to me. Back to square one...

Post #10225295
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP