Dysderid Spiders – Araneaidae

Orb Weavers   Family: Araneidae Common Name: Orb-weaver, Garden spiders, Garden orb weavers Appearance: Due to the large number of species found in this family, orb weavers are very difficult to distinguish from other spider groups or from each other. It is the most variable family among other spider families regarding both size and appearance. The distinguishable feature of orb weavers is the symmetry of their web. They spin a circular and organized web just like the one shown in Halloween decorations. Orb wears life hanging their head down in their web. They have 8 legs and fang-like mouthparts. They can grow up to 12 mm in length. Males are usually smaller than females and do not spin webs. Regarding their color, they have a brown, gray, yellow, red, or orange color with light markings. The oval or triangular-shaped abdomen with a leaf-like pattern on it. Host Plants or Food: Flies, Ants, Mosquitoes, Wasps, Beetles, Moths, Bugs. They also eat small frogs and hummingbirds if they get trapped in their web. Territory: Found all over the World. Mode of Damage: Orb weavers are beneficial garden insects. They feed on many plant pests and act as natural biocontrol agents. Habits and Life History: Orb weavers are found anywhere there is food for them and space to build their web, including weeds, bushes, trees, gardens, walls, etc. Males for mating search for the female, which mostly reside in their web, waiting for the male to find them. After mating, the male becomes the meal of the female. Female lays eggs in late summer into an egg sac. An egg sac has many hundred eggs laid by the female. The female dies as the winter approaches, while the eggs survive the winter. With the arrival of the spring, the eggs hatch into spiderlings. Like other spiders, orb weavers also undergo simple metamorphosis. Eggs hatch into spiderlings. Spiderlings mature into adult orb weavers. They have a life span of almost 12 months.