Longjawed Orb Weavers

More Spider Resources Tetragnatha extensa Leucauge Argyra Orchard Spider Types of Spiders

The longjawed orb weavers, family Tetragnathidae, are an orb weaving family differentiated from the orb weaving spiders of the Family Araneidae by an extended jaw.

The top picture also shows their characteristic long legs and thin bodies.

Six genera of longjawed orb weavers live in the United States. However, the most common species come from the genus Leucauge and genus Tetragnatha.

Leucauge species also go by the common name orchard orb weavers. The two species listed in the box on the right reside in the forests and fields of the Eastern United States. They are initially recognize by their colorful bodies and fairly large and slanted orb webs.

Tetraganatha species have the widest distribution of all the Tetragnathidae species. They build orb shaped webs commonly near wetland and water habitats throughout most areas of the United States. They can also be spotted stretching out on a leave near the web.

Like all spiders, longjawed orb weavers can bite humans, but more often than not, they are not inclined to bite. The links in the box point to a handful of common Eastern and Western species.

© 2005-2009 Patricia A. Michaels