Community identification
Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona crucifera
- Order & Family
- Order Araneae, Family Araneidae
- Size
- Females range from 9 to 19 mm, males are slightly smaller at 8 to 13 mm.
Natural Habitat
Gardens, woodlands, fields, and often found on exterior walls and window screens near outdoor lighting.
Diet & Feeding
Insects caught in their orb-shaped webs, primarily flying insects like moths, beetles, and mosquitoes.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal web builders that spin large, vertical orb webs at night to catch prey and usually consume or take down the web by morning.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits include natural pest control by reducing insect populations. Risks are minimal; they are non-aggressive and their venom is not medically significant to humans.