Orb Weaver Spider (likely a Furrow Orb Weaver or similar Araneidae species given the image characteristics)
Scientific Name: Araneidae (Family)
Order & Family: Order: Araneae, Family: Araneidae
Size: Body length varies significantly by species within the Araneidae family, but typically ranges from 4 mm to 30 mm (0.16 to 1.2 inches), with females often larger than males. Leg span can be much larger.
Natural Habitat
Common in gardens, forests, fields, and around human structures. They prefer areas with vegetation or structures that can support their large webs, such as trees, shrubs, tall grasses, fences, and building eaves.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly carnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of insects and other small invertebrates that get caught in their silk webs. This includes flies, moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and grasshoppers.
Behavior Patterns
Orb weavers are known for constructing intricate, spiral-shaped webs, often vertically oriented. They are primarily nocturnal, building or repairing their webs at dusk and remaining in or near the web throughout the night to catch prey. During the day, they may rest in a retreat nearby.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Orb weaver spiders are generally not considered dangerous to humans. Their venom is mild and typically only causes localized pain, redness, and swelling if a bite occurs, which is rare as they are not aggressive. Benefits: They are highly beneficial to ecosystems and humans by controlling insect populations, including many agricultural pests and nuisance insects like mosquitoes and flies.
Identified on: 8/11/2025