Family: Theridiidae

Scientific Name: Argyrodes elevatus

Size: See Image 2

Gender: female

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. I found this female in the orb web of a Cyclosa turbinate (view 1). 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.
Click to View male

D710 (Laguna Beach, Ca / 31 July 12)