Araneus thaddeus (Hentz 1847)

(Figs 1–4)

Material examined.— Canada: Québec: Chelsea, Les Collines­de­l’Outaouais, Mont King [45°29’N, 75°52’W] 08.ix.1997, beating [along] forest trail, 1ɗ, L. LeSage (CPAD).

Diagnosis.— Males of the species are recognised by the presence of three spines on the median apophysis (MA) (Fig. 3). Females have a rectangular epigynum, a short and thin scape (SC), narrowing distally, slightly extending beyond the base of the epigynum (Fig. 4).

Distribution.— This species is found in eastern North America from Québec (this record) and southern Manitoba to Alabama and Georgia, with isolated records from Utah, Arizona and Texas (see Dondale et al. 2003).

Remark.— The occurrence of the species in Québec was suspected by Hutchinson & Bélanger (1994), but was not included in Paquin & Dupérré (2003). The present record is the northernmost for the species on the East Coast of North America.