About Neoscona subfusca (C.L.Koch, 1837)
Neoscona subfusca (first described by C.L.Koch in 1837) is known from both male and female individuals. It is a medium-sized spider species, with a total body length ranging from 4.5 to 10.5 mm. This species has a wide distribution across Africa, Southern Europe, and the Near East. In South Africa, it is very abundant, recorded in all nine provinces, and found in over 40 protected areas at altitudes between 1 and 2,826 meters above sea level. As a medium-sized spider, Neoscona subfusca builds orb-webs in vegetation at night, then removes its web early each morning and rests on plant surfaces. It has been recorded from all floral biomes in its range. It has also been sampled from a variety of agricultural systems, including avocado, citrus, grapefruit, macadamia, pecan, and pistachio orchards, pine plantations, cotton fields, tomato fields, and vineyards. Neoscona subfusca is specifically associated with the bark of Vachellia xanthophloea trees in Ndumo Game Reserve, and the bark of Ochna pulchra trees in Nylsvley Nature Reserve.
