×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Cat-faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Cat-faced Spider


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/7
Image Credit: Chad M. from Boise, ID
Full-sized image of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image of the Cat-Faced-Spider
2/7
Image Credit: C. Wilson from CO
Full-sized image #2 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #2 of the Cat-Faced-Spider
3/7
Image Credit: Chad M. from Boise, ID
Full-sized image #3 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #3 of the Cat-Faced-Spider
4/7
Image Credit: Chad M. from Boise, ID
Full-sized image #4 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #4 of the Cat-Faced-Spider
5/7
Image Credit: Nancy Y. from Grand Forks, ND
Full-sized image #5 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #5 of the Cat-Faced-Spider
6/7
Image Credit: Graham G.
Full-sized image #6 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #6 of the Cat-Faced-Spider
7/7
Image Credit: C. Wilson from CO
Full-sized image #7 of the Cat-Faced-Spider Thumbnail image #7 of the Cat-Faced-Spider

The Cat-faced Spider is every gardener's friend, keeping watch over plants and consuming loads of pest insects.



Updated: 10/26/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
The Cat-faced Spider is a common name shared by this species and a second North American spider. Its other common name, Jewel Spider, is also shared with an Australian spider. This name duplication illustrates the usefulness of using scientific names when addressing the identity of living things, which prompts gratitude for the work of Carl Linnaeus, the father of scientific nomenclature.

This harmless spider is an angulate spider, meaning it has two pronounced bumps at the top of its abdomen. The 'cat face' on the abdomen is created by these two bumps, which form the cat's 'ears', and the pattern in the center of the abdomen, which forms the 'face'. This spider is usually up-side-down in the garden, preferring to sit with its head toward the ground. Each individual spider may vary in color. Some are quite pale; others are a rich, tawny brown. Usually, a large female is found hiding in plant leaves or debris off to the side of the web, waiting to sense a tremor on the threads of silk. Males are smaller. A female will create an egg sac that holds about a hundred fertilized eggs in it. This egg sac will overwinter and in the spring, the spiderlings emerge and disperse using silk lines to help carry them away to new homes.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Insect biting icon
Hairy insect icon
Harmless insect icon
Spiny / Spiky insect icon
Venomous insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Arachnida
      Order: Araneae
        Family: Araneidae
View More
          Genus: Araneus
View More
            Species: gemmoides

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Araneus gemmoides
Other Name(s): Jewel Spider
Category: Spider
Size (Adult; Length): 5mm to 26mm (0.19" to 1.02")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: brown; white; yellow; ivory; red
Descriptors: spiky; bumpy; hairy; horns; biting; venomous; harmless; shoulders; angulate


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 5mm (0.2in) and 26mm (1.0in)
Lo: 5mm
Md: 15.5mm
Hi: 26mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Cat-faced Spider may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Cat-faced Spider. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)