Family: Theridiidae

Scientific Name: Argyrodes elevatus

Size: See Image 5

Gender: Male

Argyrodes elevatus is a kleptoparasitic spider that seldom builds it own tangle web but instead can commonly be found in the web of orb weavers. This male was in the orb web of a Argiope argentata. A. elevates may get a share of the host spider?s meal or remove some small prey items from the web or feed on unattacked small prey while in the web. Note the weird cephalothorax (view 6).
Click to View female

D713 (Bolsa Chica, Huntington Beach, Ca / 22 July 12)