
Community identification
Spiny orb-weaver (likely spined micrathena)
Micrathena gracilis
- Order & Family
- Araneae; Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders)
- Size
- Adult body typically 5–10 mm long; females are larger and more heavily spined than males.
Natural Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, especially in shaded understory where it builds orb webs across trails, windows, and vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Consumes small flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and small moths, captured in its sticky orb web.
Behavior Patterns
Primarily diurnal; it hangs at the web’s center and may vibrate or drop away when disturbed. Females produce egg sacs and rebuild or repair webs regularly.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people, with a bite considered medically insignificant. It benefits gardens and forests by controlling small insect populations.