Metellina segmentata

Metellina segmentata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Family:	Tetragnathidae
Genus:	Metellina
Species:	M. segmentata
Binomial name
Metellina segmentata (Clerck, 1757)
Synonyms
Araneus segmentatus Aranea reticulata Aranea angulata Aranea senoculata Aranea segmentata Aranea inclinata Epeira inclinata Epeira variegata Zilla reticulata Miranda piniophila Meta segmentata Zilla inclinata Meta antrorum

Metellina segmentata is a spider in the Tetragnathidae family with a Palaearctic distribution. It has also been introduced to Canada.

Adults can be found from August to October. These spiders prefer open habitats (edges of a wood, or gardens) and are amongst the most frequent orb-weaving spiders.^[1]

The web has no threads at its center, similar to most tetragnathid spiders. Most webs are built low above the ground. The spider sits at the center during the day most of the time. Sometimes they hide at the edge and sense prey with the help of a signaling thread.^[1]

Reproduction

During the mating season in September several males wait for prey in the web of a female. When an insect gets caught, they all run for it. The first will wrap it up and then present it to the female, while it will give signals by plucking the threads of the female's web. The yellow eggs are deposited on a twig or on bark in a spherical white cocoon.^[1]

It is very similar to the slightly smaller Metellina mengei, and the two can only be discerned by comparing genital features.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Bellmann, H. (1997). Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas. Kosmos.

External links

• Media related to Metellina segmentata at Wikimedia Commons