Long-jawed Orb Weaver, Stretch Spider
Tetragnatha sp.
Family Tetragnathidae (Long-jawed Orb Weavers), Order Araneae
Physical Description
Characterized by a highly elongated, slender, cylindrical abdomen and significantly elongated chelicerae (jaws). The body is sleek and streamlined with a smooth, slightly metallic or satin-like texture and long, spindly legs.
Size Estimate
Body length is approximately 6-12mm, with a total leg span reaching up to 30-40mm. This appears to be an adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Pale tan to straw-colored base. The dorsal side of the abdomen often features a faint silvery or foliate pattern with dark branching lines or spots. The cephalothorax is typically a uniform light brown.
Web Type
Builds horizontal or tilted orb webs, often near water or vegetation. The webs have an open hub (hole in the center) and few radii compared to other orb weavers.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes arranged in two rows of four. The lateral eyes are often separated, and the arrangement is distinctive to the Tetragnathidae family.
Leg Characteristics
Extremely long and thin. When resting, the spider typically stretches its front two pairs of legs forward and its back pairs backward, creating a straight-line camouflage posture.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Neurotoxic venom specialized for paralyzing small insects. It is extremely weak and completely harmless to humans.
Medical Significance
Not medically significant. They are reluctant to bite, and a bite would be less painful than a bee sting, typically resulting in minor, localized redness if anything at all.
Safety Recommendations
No safety precautions are necessary. If one is found on furniture, it can be gently nudged into a cup and moved to a nearby bush or tall grass.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Globally distributed. Most commonly found in riparian zones, wetlands, meadows, and gardens near water sources where they can span webs between tall grasses or man-made structures.
Behavior & Temperament
Very timid and non-aggressive. When threatened, they often drop from their web or flatten themselves against a twig or surface to vanish via camouflage. They are mostly nocturnal hunters.
Diet & Prey
Primarily flying insects such as midges, mosquitoes, and small flies that emerge from or congregate near water sources.
Seasonal Activity
Most active during late spring through autumn. They are frequently seen in late summer when populations reach their peak size and maturity.
Description
These elegant, slender spiders are the masters of aquatic architecture. Often found near ponds or on patio furniture near gardens, they are easily recognized by their needle-like profile and habit of stretching out into a straight line to hide from predators.
Key Features
Elongated cylindrical abdomen, exceptionally long front legs, horizontal orb web with an open center, and the ability to lie flat in a 'stretch' position.
Similar Species
Can be confused with Tetragnatha montana or Tetragnatha extensa. Sometimes mistaken for cellar spiders (Pholcidae), but the elongated abdomen and orb-weaving habit distinguish them.
Life Cycle
Females lay eggs in flattened, brownish egg sacs attached to vegetation. Spiderlings disperse via ballooning. Most species live for approximately one year, maturing in late spring or summer.
Ecological Importance
Significant natural pest control, particularly for mosquitoes and midges. They serve as a vital food source for birds, dragonflies, and frogs near wetland ecosystems.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but generally considered common and stable throughout their global range.
Interesting Facts
The name Tetragnatha is derived from Greek words meaning 'four-jawed,' referring to their large, prominent chelicerae. Many species can actually walk on the surface of water to escape predators.
Photography Tips
Capture the spider from a side profile to highlight the length of the abdomen, or from the front to show the distinctive large jaws. Soft morning light near water provides the best backdrop.
Identified: 2026-05-02T14:14:58.631621