Orb Weaver Spider
Scientific Name: Araneidae (various genera like Araneus, Neoscona, etc.)
Order & Family: Araneae (Order), Araneidae (Family)
Size: Typically 5mm to 30mm (body length), depending on the species and sex.
Natural Habitat
Gardens, forests, fields, and human structures; they build webs between branches, tall grasses, or eaves.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly flying insects such as flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles, caught in their webs.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal web builders; they often consume and rebuild their webs daily. Many species hang head-down in the center of their web or hide nearby, often sensing vibrations from prey caught in the web. They are generally solitary.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans; their bites are rare and typically cause only mild, localized pain, if at all. They are highly beneficial in controlling insect populations, especially agricultural pests and nuisance insects like mosquitoes.
Identified on: 9/15/2025