Pumpkin Spider (Marbled Orb-weaver)

Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus

Order & Family: Araneae, Araneidae

Size: Females: 9-20 mm; Males: 6-9 mm

Pumpkin Spider (Marbled Orb-weaver)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, wood edges, riverbanks, and tall grasses

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds on flying insects caught in its web, such as flies, moths, and bees

Behavior Patterns

Crepuscular and nocturnal orb-weaver. Often hides in a silk retreat made of a folded leaf during the day while holding a signal line connected to its web.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; its bite is rare and typically no worse than a bee sting. Highly beneficial to ecosystems as a natural pest controller.

Identified on: 4/19/2026