desertshrub spider

Class: Arachnida (scorpions, whipscorpions, spiders, mites, etc.)
Order: Araneae (spiders)
Family: Diguetidae (desertshrub spiders)
Species: Diguetia sp.
Common Name: desertshrub spider (not species specific)
Date: 2001 July 20
Place: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    Manzanita Springs Trail (picture taken in the late evening)

These small web-building spiders are common in the lowland regions of the Park. The spider's web consists basically of a sheet web with a conical retreat suspended above it. Debris and other materials are incorporated into the silken retreat. The spider remains in its retreat during the daytime. While other plants were used, most of the webs I noticed were in Prickly Pear plants. These cacti are stiff and provide solid support with many attachment points for the spider's silk. In addition, the solid pads provide some protection when the wind blows, perhaps encouraging small insects to take refuge there.

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Note: This is a personal web site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Contact information for the author, Ron Lyons, is accessible through the Index Page referenced below. Thank you.