Family Araneidae (Orb Weavers/ Garden spiders)

[Arosa Hya]

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2238674/images/o-ORB-WEAVING-SPIDER-facebook.jpg

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/E3XWAD/male-four-spot-orb-weaver-araneus-quadratus-part-of-the-family-araneidae-E3XWAD.jpg

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Identification Characters:



1. Tibia and meta-tarsus 1 & 2 without pro-lateral row of spines.
2. Sternum not wider than long, Posterior coxae not widely separated.
3. Posterior spinnerets present, not shorter than anterior.
4. Posterior spinnerets shorter and thick.
5. Anal Tubercle small, not fringed, ocular group not compact.
6. Tarsi of the usual type, Labium longer than wide, legs not very long.
7. With 8 Eyes.
8. Anterior row with 4 eyes.
9. Tarsi with 3 Claws without claw tufts.
10. The 6 spinnerets not in a transverse row, But of the usual arrangement. Tracheal spiracle in the usual place in front of the spinnerets.
11. Eyes group not forming a Hexagon, and clypeus much lower. Abdomen not pointed and legs without conspicuous spines.
12. Tarsus 4 not provided with comb of serrated Bristles.
13. Tarsi without Trichobothria.
14. Clypeus in most lower than the height of the median ocular area. Eyes Homogeneous.
15. Epigastric furrow nearly straight. Boss present on chelicera though rudimentary in some cases. Chelicerae not very large.

[Arosa Hya]

Trichobothrium: (pl: trichobothria) long, slender, sensory hairs that grow perpendicularly from the leg. These specialized hairs are used to sense vibrations and wind currents, including even the slightest movement from the flutter of insect wings!

Clypeus: the area of the carapace between the bottom (anterior) row of eyes and the beginning of the chelicerae (jaws).

Epigynum, Epigyne: (pl: epigyna) the complex region of female spiders covering the internal genitalia and located on the underside of the abdomen, near its connection to the cephalothorax. The epigyne area is the “finger print” to the species. More often than not, this area must be seen under a microscope by an experienced eye in order to determine the species.

[Arosa Hya]

Trichobothrium: (pl: trichobothria) long, slender, sensory hairs that grow perpendicularly from the leg. These specialized hairs are used to sense vibrations and wind currents, including even the slightest movement from the flutter of insect wings!