Cave orb weaver spider (Meta ovalis)

This is a cave orb weaver spider. Photo taken in my Kane PA garden several years ago and I was just recently able to ID it.

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I'm glad you saved it and persisted in ID-ing it, it's a great species intro. Posted 9 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  Thanks Ferdy.....when I finally learned what it was, I couldn't wait to post it here. After uploading the photo, I geotagged it and entered Meta ovalis into the species ID box but it came up in red letters, species not found. I checked my spelling and tried again. Still, species not found???? I even deleted the photo and checked the species for a third time. Meta ovalis was correct so I went back and uploaded it again. I titled the photo, including the species. I also checked the box in the species ID box for advanced help. Not sure what I did wrong? Regardless, I am thrilled to know that this is a cave orb weaver spider. Thanks for the upgrade to the home page!!!! Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    You have done nothing wrong. In fact you did it right. A new species entry is created from the data in the English version of Wikipedia. Since there is no such data for this species, the system couldn't find it. In such case an entry can be created directly in the JungleDragon database. A message was sent for this to a few moderators upon your request from the advanced menu. I created the entry and identified it for you. Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Deb Cappello
      
      Snow Leopard
      
      Thanks for the help WildFlower! Posted 9 years ago
  3. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Deb, as Wildflower already explained: you did nothing wrong. When there is no Wikipedia page for the species available, the species record has to be created manually in JungleDragon, which will be done my moderators. I encourage you to read this article in full, then you will know everything there is to know about this process:
    
    http://www.jungledragon.com/about/howtosharephotos Posted 9 years ago
  4. 1. Deb Cappello
      
      Snow Leopard
      
      Thanks Ferdy.......I will do that. Posted 9 years ago

The Meta ovalis

Meta ovalis (Gertsch) is a long-jawed orb weaving spider with a distribution extending from the northeast provinces of Canada south through the United States from the Appalachian Mountains to the Ozark Plateaus. The species is a common inhabitant of entrances and twilight zones of caves in the eastern United States. At more northern latitudes within its distribution, M. ovalis is also found in basements and old houses.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by WildFlower

By Deb Cappello

Uploaded Sep 23, 2015. Captured Dec 1, 2013 09:30 in 129 N Fraley St, Kane, PA 16735, USA.

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Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
f/2.7
1/60s
ISO800
6.2mm

Captured in the fall. More fall photos.