Community identification
Long-jawed Orb Weaver
Tetragnatha sp.
- Order & Family
- Araneae: Tetragnathidae
- Size
- Body length typically ranges from 6 to 15 mm, with very long legs extending the overall span further.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in vegetation near water, wetlands, gardens, and meadows where they can bridge gaps with their webs.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they primarily eat small flying insects like midges, gnats, and mosquitoes that get caught in their webs.
Behavior Patterns
They are known for their elongated bodies and long chelicerae (jaws). They often stretch their legs forward and backward to blend in with blades of grass or twigs when threatened.
Risks & Benefits
They are beneficial to ecosystems and gardens as natural pest controllers. They are not dangerous to humans; their venom is mild and they are not aggressive.