Community identification
Orb-weaver spider
Araneidae family
- Order & Family
- Order Araneae, Family Araneidae
- Size
- 2mm to 30mm depending on the specific species and sex (females are generally larger).
Natural Habitat
Gardens, fields, forests, and around buildings where they can anchor large, vertical orb webs.
Diet & Feeding
Insects such as flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and moths caught in their sticky webs.
Behavior Patterns
Constructs intricate, wheel-shaped orb webs, often rebuilding them daily. They typically wait for prey at the center of the web.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits include natural pest control by reducing insect populations. They pose minimal risk to humans; their venom is generally harmless to people, and they are docile.