Long Jawed Orb Weaver: Essential Facts for Spider Enthusiasts

The Long-Jawed Orb Weaver is a fascinating spider that belongs to the family Tetragnathidae. These spiders are known for their elongated chelicerae, or “jaws,” which give them their distinctive appearance and name.

Typically found in vegetation near or over water, Long-Jawed Orb Weavers are well-camouflaged creatures with long, slim abdomens. When resting, they hold their rear pair of legs out to the back of their body and their front pairs of legs to the front. There are about 15 species of Long-Jawed Orb Weavers in North America, each adding a unique touch to the diverse world of arachnids.

These intriguing spiders build their own orb web with a few key differences from other orb weavers. One main distinction is the opening left in the middle of their web, making it easily identifiable. The webs are also generally built on a horizontal incline and measure about 20 cm in diameter.

Overview and Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Long-jawed orb weavers belong to the kingdom Animalia, which consists of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their nutrition from other organisms.

Phylum Arthropoda

Phylum Arthropoda contains invertebrate animals with exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed legs. Long-jawed orb weavers fall under this group due to their shared features.

Subphylum Chelicerata

Long-jawed orb weavers belong to the subphylum Chelicerata, known for possessing chelicerae, specialized mouthparts. In the case of these spiders, the chelicerae are extended, resembling long jaws.

Class Arachnida

The class Arachnida includes arthropods like spiders, scorpions, and mites. Long-jawed orb weavers are part of this class due to their shared characteristics as spiders.

Order Araneae

Araneae is the order of spiders, and long-jawed orb weavers belong to this group. The long-jawed orb weaver is part of the genus Tetragnatha, described by Anton Menge in 1866.

Family Tetragnathidae

Long-jawed orb weavers are members of the family Tetragnathidae, which is characterized by their unique jaw structure and web-building habits. Features include:

• Long, slim abdomens
• Legs held in a distinctive posture
• Webs typically built over water or in vegetation

Here is a comparison table of two examples within Tetragnatha:

In summary, long-jawed orb weavers are unique spiders found within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Chelicerata, class Arachnida, order Araneae, and family Tetragnathidae. Their distinct long jaws and web-building behavior make them easily identifiable and fascinating members of the spider world.

Physical Features and Size

Long Jaws and Chelicerae

Long Jawed Orb Weavers, belonging to the genus Tetragnatha, are known for their distinct and long chelicerae. These spider “jaws” are almost arm-like, providing them with the necessary tools to catch prey. Examples of these spiders can be found in different North American species of the genus Tetragnatha.

Color and Camouflage

These spiders are well-camouflaged, taking on colors like green, brown, or a combination of both. Their slender abdomens and strategic resting positions, with two front pairs of legs extended forward and rear pair stretched backward, help them blend seamlessly into vegetation near or over water sources.

Eight Eyes

As members of the Araneae order, Long Jawed Orb Weavers possess eight eyes. This characteristic is common across various spider species and provides them with excellent vision while hunting or navigating their environment.

Size and Distribution

Long Jawed Orb Weavers are generally small in size, as is the case with many spider species. They can be found across North America, including countries such as the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Their distribution also extends to other parts of the world, as Tetragnatha contains various species found in different regions.

Comparison Table

Habitat and Range

Vegetation

Long-jawed orb weavers typically inhabit areas with dense vegetation. They are commonly found in gardens, fields, and forests. Their webs often stretch between plants, enabling the spiders to capture flying insects with ease. Here are some key features of their preferred habitat:

• Dense vegetation
• Presence of suitable plants for web construction
• Ample insect prey

Near Water

These spiders can also be found near water sources, such as ponds and streams. The availability of water provides an ideal environment for both the spiders and their prey. In fact, they are known to build their webs near or even above the water’s surface to catch aquatic insects. Some examples of water sources include:

• Ponds
• Streams
• Lakes

North America Distribution

Long-jawed orb weavers are widely distributed across North America. They can be found throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Their range extends from southern Canada all the way down to Central America. Here’s a quick comparison of their distribution:

In summary, Long-jawed orb weavers favor habitats rich in vegetation and often near water sources. Their distribution spans across North America, making them a common sight in gardens, fields, and forests.

Web Building and Hunting

Orb-Shaped Webs

Long Jawed Orb Weavers, belonging to the Tetragnathidae family, are known for their distinct orb-shaped webs. These spiders typically build their webs on a horizontal incline and leave an opening in the middle of the web, which differentiates them from other orb weavers¹.

Some features of their orb-shaped webs:

• Usually 20 cm in diameter¹
• Built near or over water
• Horizontal incline

Silk and Spokes

The silk used by Long Jawed Orb Weavers is strong and flexible. Orb webs consist of radial spokes like a bicycle wheel with a spiral of sticky capture silk. The spokes provide support, while the sticky silk captures prey.

Catching Prey

Long Jawed Orb Weavers are opportunistic hunters that feed on a variety of arthropods². Their webs are efficient structures for capturing a wide range of insects and other creatures. Some common prey for these spiders include:

• Flies
• Mayflies
• Midges
• Mosquitoes
• Moths
• Aquatic insects³

These spiders may also catch and eat fishing spiders and water striders³. The silk and structure of the orb webs make them ideal for trapping insects as they fly or move near the water’s surface.

Diet and Lifespan

Insects and Invertebrates

Long Jawed Orb Weavers primarily feed on small insects and invertebrates. Their prey includes:

• Flies
• Mosquitoes
• Midges
• Mayflies
• Moths

These spiders catch their prey in their webs, which are typically built near or over water sources and are about 20 cm in diameter.

Birds and Earthworms

Apart from insects and invertebrates, Long Jawed Orb Weavers occasionally consume larger prey, such as:

• Birds
• Earthworms
• Slugs
• Snails

However, these instances are less common and depend on the size and strength of the individual spider.

Lifespan and Natural Predators

Long Jawed Orb Weavers have a relatively short lifespan. The precise duration is not widely documented, but like many spiders, their lives span a few months to a year.

Natural predators of Long Jawed Orb Weavers include:

• Birds
• Lizards
• Larger spiders
• Parasitic wasps

These predators pose a constant threat to the survival of Long Jawed Orb Weavers, impacting their overall lifespan.

Reproduction and Mating

Mating Rituals

The Long Jawed Orb Weaver’s mating process starts with a unique dance ritual. Males approach females with caution and do small vibrations or touches to avoid being mistaken as prey.

Egg Sacs

After mating, females create protective egg sacs, which consist of:

• Silk: Females spin silk around the eggs for protection.
• Placement: Egg sacs are often placed near water sources to increase the chances of survival for the spiderlings.

These sacs hold numerous eggs, ensuring the survival and continuation of the species.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings hatch from the egg sacs after a certain period, with some key features:

• Size: They are tiny, around 1mm in length.
• Growth: Spiderlings grow and molt several times before reaching adulthood.

Venom and Bites

Bite Effects on Humans

The Long Jawed Orb Weaver spider has fangs to deliver its venom, but its bites are usually not dangerous to humans. Here are the typical effects:

• Mild pain
• Swelling
• Itching

For comparison, here’s a table of the Long Jawed Orb Weaver’s bite effects versus a more venomous spider, the Black Widow:

First Aid Steps

If you get bitten by a Long Jawed Orb Weaver, follow these steps:

1. Clean the bite area with soap and water.
2. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and numb the pain.
3. Elevate the bitten limb to minimize swelling.
4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary.

Remember, Long Jawed Orb Weaver bites are not usually dangerous, but it’s always good to keep an eye on your symptoms. If anything worsens, consult a medical professional.

Benefits and Other Facts

Free Pest Control Services

Longjawed orbweavers, of the genus Tetragnatha, play a helpful role in managing pest populations. They catch and consume a variety of small flying insects, contributing to a natural form of pest control. Their diet includes:

• Lacewings
• Antlions
• Millipedes
• Centipedes
• Mites
• Stoneflies

Interesting Trivia

The scientific classification of longjawed orbweavers is as follows:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Subphylum: Chelicerata
• Class: Arachnida
• Infraorder: Araneomorphae

These spiders are also known as Tetragnathids and sometimes referred to as “four-jawed” due to their large chelicerae and two long palps, which make it appear as if they have four jaws.

The posture of a longjawed orbweaver is quite unique. They hold the rear pair of legs out to the back of their body and the two front pairs of legs to the front when at rest. The shorter third pair of legs is held to the side.

One common species of longjawed orbweaver is the Leucauge venusta, also known as the orchard orbweaver. These spiders are known to build their webs on a horizontal incline and typically near or over water.

Comparing longjawed orbweavers to invertebrates like crayfish and shrimp helps to emphasize their ecological roles:

To summarize, longjawed orbweavers provide valuable pest control services and display fascinating characteristics, like their unique posture and jaw-like structures. They are an important part of their ecosystem, helping to control insect populations, similar to their invertebrate counterparts such as crayfish and shrimp.