Zygiella nearctica
Gertsch, 1964
Nearctic Sector Orbweaver
Zygiella nearctica is a orb-weaving spider in the Araneidae. Like other members of its , it constructs a characteristic orb web with a missing sector in the upper portion. The is native to North America and has been documented across a broad geographic range from coast to coast in Canada, extending southward into the northern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Zygiella nearctica: /zɪˈdʒiːɛlə nɪˈɑːrktɪkə/
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Identification
Zygiella nearctica can be distinguished from the introduced Zygiella x-notata by its native, distribution and from Parazygiella by web structure—P. carpenteri typically constructs a complete orb web without the missing sector characteristic of Zygiella. The missing sector in the upper half of the web, with the central running to a tubular retreat at the periphery, is diagnostic for the . females measure approximately 7-9 mm in body length, males smaller at 6-6.5 mm.
Habitat
forest and associated ; found in natural settings rather than predominantly human-modified structures. The occurs in forested regions across its range.
Distribution
Coast to coast in Canada, including Alberta and British Columbia; Alaska; New England; Rocky Mountains to Colorado; and Appalachians to North Carolina. The distribution is continuous across North America with southern extensions along mountain ranges.
Behavior
Constructs an orb web with a distinctive missing sector in the upper portion, spanning 6-14 cm in diameter. The spider typically occupies a tubular retreat at the periphery of the web, connected to the hub by the central of the missing sector. Spiders may occupy the hub at night or during overcast conditions.
Ecological Role
of flying insects; contributes to insect in forest .
Similar Taxa
- Zygiella x-notataIntroduced European with similar web structure, but restricted to coastal regions of western North America (California through Washington) and Atlantic coast from New England to Virginia; associated with human structures rather than natural .
- Parazygiella carpenteriNative formerly classified in Zygiella, but reclassified to Parazygiella; distinguished by typically complete orb web without missing sector, and disjunct distribution in Sierra Nevada, California coast, and southeastern Washington.
- Parazygiella disparHolarctic formerly in Zygiella; occurs from southern British Columbia to Monterey, California; also found in Europe.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Two native formerly placed in Zygiella—P. carpenteri and P. dispar—have been reclassified into the Parazygiella based on revised morphological and genetic understanding.