Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2151739

Silver Long-jawed Orbweaver

Tetragnatha laboriosa

Also known as Silver Longjawed Orbweaver

Silver long-jawed orbweavers blend seamlessly into grassy environments by aligning their slender, metallic-sheened bodies parallel to plant stems with legs extended forward and back. At twilight, they spin delicate, nearly horizontal orb webs between stalks to snare ascending midges and agricultural pests. Mating occurs primarily under the cover of darkness, after which females deposit egg sacs in protected vegetation before the onset of winter.

Web-builderGrasslandNocturnal
Silver Long-jawed Orbweaver reference1 / 7
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—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Leafhoppers
  • Chironomid Midges
  • Aphids
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Mud Dauber Wasps
  • Praying Mantises
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide spraying and loss of grassy field margins
HabitatsMeadows, grasslands, agricultural crop fields, and riparian edges
Life spanUp to 1 year
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyTetragnathidae
  3. GenusTetragnatha
  4. SpeciesTetragnatha laboriosa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans and pets; safe to observe at close range.
Responsible observation
  • Locating Webs: Search grassy meadows in the early morning when dew reveals their nearly horizontal orb webs.
  • Observing Camouflage: Approach slowly to watch them press flat against stems, extending their legs into a straight line.
Related species
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