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Spider identity?
There were numerous webs similar to this one in a shed we have here in Wasilla, Alaska. The webs were all complete domes with a hole in the underside. The spiders were tiny brown, maybe 1/4 to 1/2" total body size. The spider resided in the very peak of the orb, upside down. After looking at the webs I think you’ll forgive our layman’s term for them (boobie spiders – VBG). The close ups show that the web has hundreds of support "wires" going off in all directions. I’ve never seen anything like this here in 39 years in Alaska. I also had a pure white what I would call a crab spider (because they are built like a dungeness crab, move sideways like one and have a very grumpy disposition) I will send along when I find it. I don’t know what they are either. Usually they are plain brown so the white one (especially "hiding" on a black pot) was a surprise. Great site! I am going to put a link to it on the website for our greenhouse. So many people (even me on occasion) kill a lot of bugs that turn out to be beneficial. I try to educate our customers on what is good and bad, but I still can’t identify some. Ladybird beetle larva send customers off in a tizzy until I explain what they are. We are very lucky here as we have few real pests, nothing poisonous or terribly harmful to people.
Thanks for a great site!
C. Herrin
Wasilla, Alaska

Hi C. Herrin,
We are trying to get a more conclusive answer on your spider species. Sadly, the spider is out of focus and only the web can be used for identification. We are leaning towards the Filmy Dome Spider, Neriene radiata. Eric Eaton wrote in: ” I would agree with the genus of dome spiders, Neriene. I don’ know if N. radiata reaches Alaska.”

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