About Verrucosa arenata (Walckenaer, 1841)
Verrucosa arenata is a large species of spider. Females weigh 0.05–0.46 g and have a body length of 7–14 mm, while males are 4–6 mm in body length. This species is sexually dimorphic, with females larger than males. V. arenata is polychromatic, with abdominal color ranging from white to yellow, and small red vein-like markings present on the abdomen. Females have legs and a carapace that can be black, brown, or rusty red. Their head is small in comparison to their characteristic triangular abdomen, which is completely covered by a colored triangle, usually yellow or white. Males are smaller and do not have this characteristic abdominal triangle. Male V. arenata, commonly called arrowhead spiders, are rarely seen except when courting or mating with a female on her web. This species is diurnal. By midday, their webs are usually non-functional from insect damage, and the spider spends the night in a retreat. V. arenata occurs across North America, in a range of both urban and rural habitats that have trees and bushes for spinning webs, including plantations, urban parks, gardens, residential yards, and woods. They are typically active in late summer and early fall, living in the understory of open, humid areas that receive direct sunlight.
