Spiny Orb-weaver
Scientific Name: Gasteracantha cancriformis
Order & Family: Order Araneae, Family Araneidae
Size: Females are 5-9 mm long and 10-13 mm wide; males are much smaller, around 2-3 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Found in woodland edges, shrubby gardens, and citrus groves, primarily in tropical and subtropical climates.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds on small flying insects like flies, moths, and beetles that get caught in its web.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal spiders that spin flat, vertical orb webs with tufts of silk. They have a short lifespan, typically living only until they reproduce.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. They are not aggressive toward humans and their bite is generally harmless, though the spines can cause mechanical irritation if handled.
Identified on: 5/17/2026