Arachnids of North Carolina
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Acacesia hamata - difoliate orbweaver

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Araneidae                                                                                 
Species Comment: Difoliate translates into "two foliums" for the characteristic markings on abdomen.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: Spiders of North America - Bradley; Spiders of the Carolinas – Gaddy; Howell and Jenkins (2004) Bugguide
Comments: Abdomen widest a third of the way down, tapering to a point at posterior. Dorsal surface of abdomen brown, sometimes greenish gray, orange or pinkish. Abdomen has two sets of wavy lines forming a double folium mark. The folium areas are darker than the rest of the abdomen, lighter on sides. Spines are present on legs and more prominent in males. Legs and cephalothorax brownish tan. Males have similar markings on a smaller abdomen and can show banding on legs.
Total Length: Small, Female total body length 4.7-9.1 mm, Male total body length 3.6-4.8 mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Found throughout North Carolina and eastern United States. Likely more common in Piedmont and coast. Only species of this genus in North America, with relatives in the tropics. Active through summer.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: old fields, meadows, forest edge, bogs
Observation Methods: Nocturnal visual observation
Abundance/Frequency: Frequent
Silk / Web: Nocturnal, small 8-12" orb web built each night up to three feet in vegetation at dusk, removed at dawn. The closely spaced spiral orb is effective at capturing moths.
Behavior: Spider sits in center hub at night, rests with legs folded in front to a point on a leaf during the day, sometimes out in the open. Egg sacs laid in a open leaf, can be guarded by female. Populations may be dense. Can be found by sweep netting vegetation. Females startled by bright lights can deconstruct their web in less than a minute by cutting the support lines and eating the web as they roll it up.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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 Photo Gallery for Acacesia hamata - difoliate orbweaver

Photos: 16

Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-09-13
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-26
Pender Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-08-27
Clay Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-07-29
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-07-29
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-07-29
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2018-08-23
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2018-08-23
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2017-10-03
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2017-10-03
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-07-22
Stanly Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-08-24
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-07-12
Harnett Co.
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Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams on 2013-08-16
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2013-08-09
Durham Co.
Comment: