Filmy Dome Spider

♀ Filmy Dome Spider, Neriene radiata (Ventral)

The filmy dome spider is a small spider reaching a size up to 6.5 mm (0.26 in) for females and up to 5.3 mm (0.21 in) for males. It can be found in the eastern and central portion of the United States as well as parts of Europe. The filmy dome spider, Neriene radiata, matures faster than other dome spiders. One generation completes in less than a year with the immatures overwintering in their respective habitats. The eggs laid before winter do not hatch until spring. These eggs are fewer in number, but heavier than the eggs that are laid and hatch during the warmer months.

♀ Filmy Dome Spider, Neriene radiata (Dorsal)

Sheet weaver spiders create a sheet of web in a space between vegetation. There are often two sheets of webbing with the spider between it awaiting prey, but the filmy dome spider weaves a single sheet of webbing with loose tangles of silk above the sheet. Insects hit the loose threads and fall into the domed sheet below for the spider to capture. Though the technique works well for foraging, it does not prevent kleptoparasitism. Some spiders species such as Argyrodes trigonum will usurp the webs of dome spiders. The accidental introduction of the Palearctic spider, Linyphia triangularis, in North America also poises as a potential threat to sheet weavers due to kleptoparasitism.