Family Tetragnathidae (Long-jawed Orb Weavers)

Anterior view of Leucauge venusta 

Genus Leucauge

Species venusta

Common Name: Orchard Spider

Location:  

Canada, Columbia, East Coast, and central US

Size:

Female: 5.5-7.5 mm in length 

Male: 3.5-4.0 mm in length 

Habitat: 

In low shrub, small trees, close to ground

Dorsal view of Leucauge venusta

Time: 

Common in summer and early Fall 

Foods: 

Small insects and other small spiders. 

Biological characteristics: 

The name of species, venusta, literally means beautiful in Latin. The fact that they have the species shining pattern on the dorsal of abdomen has attracted many spiders collectors.  This spiders may be confused with common orb weavers. However, it is belong to another family, Tertagnathidae (Long jawed orb weavers. The body size appears to be longer than normal weavers. Moreover, their long chelicerae are the unique features. 

Reference

Species Leucauge venusta- Orchard Orbweaver. n.d. In BugGuide.com. Retrieved from http://bugguide.net/node/view/2010