Image Credit: Armand v.Z. & Thomas F. from Kerrville, TX
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Image Credit: Jeff J. from Rolling Meadows, IL
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Image Credit: Sarah K.M. from OR
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Image Credit: Natalie G. and Tivis L. from St. Louis, MO
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Image Credit: Jamie R. from San Diego, CA
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Orb Weavers come in a variety of colors and patterns (or lack thereof). Their spiral shaped webs and rounded abdomen may help in identifying this helpful garden spider.
Orb Weavers come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Common traits among some include the rounded abdomen and orange-to-brown and brown or black coloring - those this colors may vary per species. Legs of an Orb Weaver are generally very long, giving it a menacing look, and their overall body size can range from 6mm for males and up to 10mm to 20mm for the females.
Habitats can range from tall grasses to corners of homes or under protected porches. Their webs a stage and the Orb Weaver sits in the middle, head facing downwards, waiting for prey to come upon their net. If the spider is not in the middle of the web, it is usually nearby monitoring the web by way of a "signal" line still attached to the spider. The moment a prey gets entangled in the sticky web, the signal line vibrates and the spider comes out to finish its work.
It is reported that Orb Weavers will re-spin a new web every night. Their proficiency at nighttime hunting and propensity to enjoy insects makes them a great aid in lowering mosquito populations. If you find an Orb Weaver near your front door or deck, and it is not in an intimidating area for you or your guests, keep it around and you'll notice the mosquito population dwindle in the dusk-to-nighttime hours.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Araneidae
Genus:Araneus
Species:spp.
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Araneus spp.
Other Name(s): Orb Weaver
Category:
Spider
Size (Adult; Length): 6mm to 20mm (0.23in to 0.78in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Spider Anatomy
1
Legs: Spiders have four pairs of legs and these are attached to the cephalothorax.
2
Pedipalps: Small appendages near the mouth used as taste and smell organs.
3
Cephalothorax: Contains eyes, head, mouthparts, and legs.
4
Abdomen: Contains various organs related to digestion, reproduction, and web-making.
5
Spinnerets: Used in the production of spider silk for fashioning webs or catching prey.
NOTE: Unlike insects, spiders have both an endoskeleton (internal) and exoskeleton (external).
Colors: orange, brown, yellow, black, white
