Superfamily Argiopoidea 



lateral eyes. The lateral eyes of each side are placed under a 

 conical tubercle. The sternum is at least one half longer than 

 broad. The abdomen is armed with a median hump or cone at 

 the base as well as with lateral projections. The patella of the 

 pedipalp of the male bears 



a single spine at the apex, i 



Our species are placed in the 

 genus Pledana by some 

 writers. 



Four species occur in 

 our fauna; one of these oc- 

 curs in Florida and one in 



Fig. 468. MARXIA STELLATA, 

 IMMATURE MALE 



Arizona. The other two 

 are the following: 



Marxia stellata (M. stel- 

 la'ta). — This star-shaped 

 spider is from a quarter to 

 a third of an inch long and 

 nearly as broad. The ab- 

 domen is encircled by a 



series of tubercles, eleven, twelve, or thirteen in number (Fig. 468). 

 The abdomen is grayish brown marked with a light and dark 

 pattern, which varies in different individuals; the thorax is black 

 on the sides and brown above; the sternum is brown bordered by 

 black; and the legs are ringed with dark brown or black. 



This spider lives in low bushes and among weeds and grass. 



456 



Fig. 469. 

 EGG-SAC OF MARXIA STELLATA 



