White Micrathena

Photo of a white micrathena spider in her web
Scientific Name
Micrathena mitrata
Family
Araneidae (orb weavers) in the order Araneae (spiders)
Description

The white micrathena has 2 short pairs of tubercles and a white abdomen with a few distinct black blotches on the upper side. In an odd way, it looks like it's wearing a turban, which is what its scientific name, mitrata, refers to. This is one of three Missouri species of micrathenas, also called spiny orbweavers.

Like the vast majority of Missouri’s spiders, white micrathenas are a welcome help to gardeners. Micrathenas, with their closely spaced webs, are especially good at capturing mosquitoes, gnats, and other small flying insects.

Learn more about Missouri’s spiny orbweavers on their group page.

Size

Length: to about ½ inch (excluding legs).

Media Gallery
Photo of a white micrathena spider in her web
The white micrathena, M. mitrata, has 2 short pairs of tubercles and a white abdomen with a few distinct black blotches on the upper side.
David Bruns
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
1/3
White micrathena, side view
This side view of a white micrathena shows one of the two spines that project from the back of the abdomen. Micrathenas typically rest in their webs with their bellies facing up, so the spine is pointing almost straight down in this picture.
Julianna Schroeder
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
2/3
White micrathena spider hanging on to a leaf tip
This white micrathena lost her delicate web in a collision with a hiker. She retreated to a nearby leaf for safety.
Julianna Schroeder
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
3/3
Photo of a white micrathena spider in her web
White micrathena, side view
White micrathena spider hanging on to a leaf tip
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.
Reviewed On