Bug Identifier
Spiny orb-weaver (likely spined micrathena)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.