Tetragnathidae
Guides
Alcimosphenus
Alcimosphenus is a genus of long-jawed orb-weaver spiders in the family Tetragnathidae, established by Eugène Simon in 1895. The genus is currently considered doubtful in status, with its taxonomic validity questioned in modern arachnological literature. It is poorly known, with limited published information on its constituent species, biology, or diagnostic characteristics. Most records of this genus are historical, and its species may require taxonomic revision.
Azilia
long-jawed orb-weavers
Azilia is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers in the spider family Tetragnathidae, first described by Eugen von Keyserling in 1881. It is a senior synonym of Cardimia. The genus contains eleven recognized species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America to South America, plus the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Azilia affinis
Azilia affinis is a species of long-jawed orb-weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It was described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1893. The species occurs from the southern United States through Central America to Panama. Like other members of Tetragnathidae, it possesses elongated chelicerae (jaws) adapted for capturing prey while building orb-shaped webs.
Caliadurgus
Caliadurgus is a genus of medium-sized spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae. The genus was established by Pate in 1946 as a replacement for the preoccupied name Calicurgus. These wasps are known for hunting orb-weaving spiders (Araneidae) and long-jawed orb weavers (Tetragnathidae) to provision nests for their larvae. The genus has a Holarctic and Neotropical distribution, with species recorded across North America, Europe, and South America.
Glenognatha foxi
Dwarf Ground Long-jawed Spider
Glenognatha foxi is a species of long-jawed orb weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae, commonly known as the Dwarf Ground Long-jawed Spider. It is distributed across a broad latitudinal range from Canada to Panama. The species belongs to a genus of small-bodied spiders characterized by elongated chelicerae and ground-dwelling habits, distinguishing them from the more web-associated Tetragnatha.
Leucauge
Orchard Spiders, Orchard Orbweavers, Long-jawed Orb Weavers
Leucauge is a genus of long-jawed orb-weaving spiders in the family Tetragnathidae, comprising over 170 species with pantropical distribution. The genus was established by Adam White in 1841 based on a specimen collected by Charles Darwin. Leucauge spiders are characterized by their distinctive silver, black, yellow, and green coloration, horizontal or slanted orb webs, and two rows of long, slender curved hairs on the femurs of the fourth leg. The genus underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2010 to resolve historical confusion surrounding the type species.
Leucauge licina
Dominican Spider
Leucauge licina is a species of long-jawed orbweaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is known from Caribbean islands including Cuba and Jamaica, with most records from the Dominican Republic. Like other members of the genus Leucauge, it constructs horizontal orb webs and displays distinctive coloration with silvery or pearly markings. The species is part of a genus containing over 200 species worldwide, with only two species (L. venusta and L. argyra) documented in North America north of Mexico.
Leucauge venusta
Orchard Orbweaver, Orchard Spider
Leucauge venusta, commonly known as the orchard orbweaver, is a small, colorful spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is one of the most common and visually distinctive spiders in eastern North America, recognized by its silvery-white body, green legs, and variable red or orange abdominal markings. The species builds horizontal orb webs in woodland habitats and is active primarily in late spring and early summer. Despite its common name, it is not particularly associated with orchards, preferring forest edges and shrubby vegetation.
Meta
Cave Orbweavers
Meta is a genus of long-jawed orb-weaver spiders (family Tetragnathidae) distributed worldwide. These spiders are strongly associated with subterranean and dimly lit environments, including caves, abandoned mines, old wells, basements, and densely shaded ravines. Unlike most tetragnathids, Meta species construct vertical orb webs rather than horizontal ones. The genus includes notable species such as Meta ovalis in North America and Meta menardi in Europe and Asia.
Metellina segmentata
Autumn spider, Eurasian Armoured Long-jawed Spider, Meta segmentata
Metellina segmentata is an orb-weaving spider in the family Tetragnathidae, commonly known as the Autumn spider due to its late-season adult activity. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess longer legs and a broader prosoma, while females are markedly heavier with a larger opisthosoma adapted for egg production. Adults mature from August to October, with males competing aggressively for access to female webs through ritualized contests influenced by relative body size, prior residency, and female reproductive value. The species builds characteristic orb webs with a radial frame supporting spiral sticky silk, typically positioned 0.5–2 meters above ground in edge habitats.
Pachygnatha autumnalis
Big-eyed Thick-jawed Spider
Pachygnatha autumnalis is a long-jawed orb-weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae, first described by Marx in 1884. The species occurs across a broad North American and Caribbean range, including the United States, Canada, and Cuba. As a member of the genus Pachygnatha, it shares the characteristic robust, enlarged chelicerae that distinguish this group from other tetragnathids. Observations suggest it is primarily active during autumn months, consistent with its specific epithet.
Pachygnatha furcillata
Pachygnatha furcillata is a species of long-jawed orb weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. Like other members of its genus, it possesses elongated chelicerae (jaws) characteristic of long-jawed orb weavers.
Tetragnatha
Stretch Spiders, Long-jawed Orb Weavers
Tetragnatha is a large genus of long-jawed orb-weaving spiders with hundreds of species distributed worldwide, though most occur in tropical and subtropical regions. These spiders are characterized by their elongated bodies, extremely long legs, and notably elongated chelicerae (jaws) with well-developed teeth. They construct horizontal orb webs, often near water, and many species can run across water surfaces. The genus exhibits remarkable variation in dispersal ability, with some species being excellent dispersers capable of colonizing islands, while others appear to have secondarily lost this capacity. Hawaiian Tetragnatha species have undergone adaptive radiation, with some lineages evolving cursorial (running) behavior and abandoning web-building entirely.
spiderorb-weaverlong-jawedaquaticstretch-spideradaptive-radiationHawaiicursorial-evolutionhorizontal-webwater-walkingcamouflagemultivoltinesocial-spiderTetragnathidaeAraneaeArachnidapredatorinsectivoreriparianwetlandmeadowtropicalsubtropicalcosmopolitandispersalisland-colonizationphylogeographychemical-species-recognitioncommunal-webbingkleptoparasitism-targetTetragnatha guatemalensis
Guatemalan long-jawed spider
Tetragnatha guatemalensis is a long-jawed orb weaver spider notable for its exceptional social behavior among typically solitary arachnids. Under favorable conditions, particularly during mass emergence of midges, this species constructs extensive communal webs that can span acres. The species demonstrates remarkable tolerance of conspecifics, with thousands of individuals cooperating to build shared silk structures. This social web-building represents the extreme end of a gradient of tolerance seen across the genus Tetragnatha.
Tetragnatha nitens
Nitens long-jawed spider
Tetragnatha nitens is a long-jawed orb weaver spider with a cosmotropical distribution spanning tropical and subtropical Asia, where it is native, and numerous introduced regions including the Americas, Macaronesia, Mediterranean Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Pacific islands, and New Zealand. The species constructs horizontal orb webs in vegetation and has demonstrated ecological adaptability across diverse biomes including Fynbos, Grassland, Savanna, and Thicket. Listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographic range and presence in multiple protected areas.
Tetragnatha straminea
long-jawed orb weaver
Tetragnatha straminea is a species of long-jawed orb weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is found across northern North America, including the United States, Canada, and Cuba. Like other members of the genus Tetragnatha, it possesses elongated chelicerae and a slender body adapted for camouflage. The species was described by Emerton in 1884.