Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
11/14
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
12/14
Image Credit: Dave R. from Southfield, MI
13/14
Image Credit: Arch Baker
14/14
Image Credit: Arch Baker
The shiny and elongated abdomen of the Venusta Orchard Spider are unlike most others, giving this tiny arachnid something to boast about.
Venusta Orchard Spider Videos
Blowing air on a Venusta Orchard Spider
Common in forested areas and gardens, this colorful spider almost appears painted. The abdomen can be a variety of color combinations, each depending on the individual spider. A silver or white base allows bright red, orange, green and yellow markings on it to really stand out. Straight and angles lines are common in the center of the abdomen. Black blotches of color at the end of the abdomen may or may not be present. This capsule-shaped abdomen is tubular, clearly unlike the more common spherical abdomen of most Orb Weaver spiders.
Venusta Orchard Spider webs can be found in shrubs or trees and have widely-spaced strands. The spider itself hangs up-side down at the edge of its horizontal web, or hides on a twig nearby, waiting for prey. Once ensnared, the spider bites the insect to immobilize, wraps it in spider silk, and consumes it when it likes. It is also be found running around foliage and among home gardens.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Tetragnathidae
Genus:Leucauge
Species:venusta
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Leucauge venusta
Other Name(s): Orchard Spider
Category:
Spider
Size (Adult; Length): 3mm to 8mm (0.12in to 0.31in)
Colors: green; teal; silver; red; black; white; yellow; brown
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: green; teal; silver; red; black; white; yellow; brown
