Bug Identifier
Common Orb-weaver Spider
Community identification

Common Orb-weaver Spider

Araneidae (family)

Order & Family
Order: Araneae; Family: Araneidae
Size
Typically 5 to 20 mm, depending on species and sex.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in gardens, fields, and near human structures such as window screens and porches.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous, primarily feeding on flying insects like flies, moths, and mosquitoes caught in its web.

Behavior Patterns

Known for building large, circular (orb) webs to trap prey. Many species are nocturnal, rebuilding their webs each evening.

Risks & Benefits

Beneficial to the ecosystem as natural pest control. Generally harmless to humans; while they can bite if provoked, their venom is not medically significant.