Orb Weaver Spider

Scientific Name: Araneidae (family)

Order & Family: Araneae (Order), Araneidae (Family)

Size: Females typically 5-30 mm; Males generally smaller, 3-10 mm.

Orb Weaver Spider

Natural Habitat

Gardens, forests, fields, across trees, shrubs, and structures that can support their webs. Often found in areas with ample flying insect populations.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly flying insects such as flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles, which they catch in their webs. Some larger species may catch bigger prey.

Behavior Patterns

Known for building intricate, spiral wheel-shaped webs, often at night, and sometimes consuming and rebuilding them daily. They typically rest head-down in the center of the web or hide nearby, awaiting prey. They are generally solitary.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; their venom is not considered medically significant, and bites are rare and usually cause only mild, localized pain. They are highly beneficial in controlling populations of various insect pests.

Identified on: 9/27/2025