Community identification

Orb-weaver spider

Araneidae (family)

Order & Family: Order Araneae, Family Araneidae
Size: Commonly 0.5 to 1 inch for females (body length), males are much smaller

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, forests, and wetlands; often near lights at night

Mainly flying insects like flies, moths, and beetles caught in webs

Constructs vertical, wheel-shaped webs; many species are nocturnal and rebuild their webs daily

Benefits include pest control; not medically significant to humans, though bites can cause mild localized pain