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Cobwed spider - Theridiidae
Identifying natural enemies > spiders > cobweb spider
Adults: Generally small, except for the widows, which can be up to 20 mm long. Most have a large, spherical abdomen and small prosoma. Best distinguished by their web. Length 3-16 mm.

Diet/web: Irregular, messy web. Often called “cobweb.” Spider hangs upside-down in web waiting for prey. Web hassticky outer threads that entangle insects.

Cobweb spider Cobweb spider web
Cobweb spider Web
   
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This information was developed for the publication Identifying Natural Enemies in Field Crops by Mary Gardiner, Christina DiFonzo, Michael Brewer and Takuji Noma, MSU Extension bulletin E2949.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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12/21/06