Some common prey that it consumes are flies, moths and beetles. Spiny Orb-Weaver (Gasteracantha) The spiny-orb weaver belongs to the genus of orb-weaving spiders and has received its name because of the spiny texture visible on the abdomen. Spiders Belonging to this Family Males are considerably smaller than females and they lack the pointy spines. Other Characteristic Features: They have six spiny projections protruding at the backside of the abdomen. These spiders capture flying, and sometimes crawling, insects found around a home. Learn about Orb Weaver Spiders in this educational video for kids. Although not as large as some of the other common orb weavers (e.g., Argiope, Levi 1968; Neoscona, Edwards 1984), the combination of color, shape, and web characteristics make Gasteracantha cancriformisone of the most conspicuous of spiders. We're available 24/7. Color: They are bright in color, having a yellow, white or orange abdomen with markings of red. BEHAVIOR: The spiny-backed orb weaver spins flat, orb-shaped webs in shrubs, trees and in the corners of windows, soffits and similar outdoor areas of buildings. Spinybacked orb weavers are one of the few spider species whose abdomen is wider than it is long. Their excellent way of spinning webs is the reason they have earned the name. These spines may have an anti-predator function. The egg sac Orb weaver spiders live throughout the world, with the exceptions of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. All rights reserved. © 2021 (Spider Identifications). One of the bright-hued spiders is the spiny orb weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis. As their name suggests, these spiders are known for the six spines on their body. Rumble / Wild Wildlife — The Spiny Orb Weaver, or the Gasteracantha cancriformis, is one of the 35,000 spider species that is recognizable by its striking appearance. You may want to switch exterior light fixtures to yellow “bug lights,” which attract far fewer flying insects. The Spinybacked Orbweaver is unique because it incorporates silk tufts into its web, which makes the web more easily visible. The Spiny Orb Weaver, or the Gasteracantha cancriformis, is one of the 35,000 spider species that is recognizable by its striking appearance. This spider is common along the southeast coast of the United States and is a regular inhabitant of yards in Florida. Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spinybacked orbweaver) is a species of orb-weaver spider (family Araneidae). The name Gasteracantha is derived from the Greekgaster (γαστήρ), meaning "belly, abdomen", and akantha (άκανθα), meaning "thorn, spine". Gasteracantha (known as spiny-backed orb-weavers, spiny orb-weavers, or spiny spiders) is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first named by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. © 2019 The Terminix International Company Limited Partnership. Spiny-Bellied Orbweaver; Spiny Orb Weaver. Some species have elaborate shapes and colors. They frequently weave their webs on the edges of gardens, window corners, door corners or porches. Size: The females have a length and width of 5-9 mm and 10-13mm respectively. Learn more about the types of cookies we use by reviewing our updated Privacy Policy. One of the more colorful spiders in Florida is a spiny orb weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus) 1767. The shape of this web is the very reason why the spider is called an Orb Weaver, because it is in a circular pattern rather than a funnel shape, a sheet-like shape or a cobweb. Adult females range from 5 to 9 millimeters in length, and 10 to 13 millimeters in width. 2. Spiny-backed orb weavers are not dangerous and are beneficial animals. The female Spiny Backed Orb Weaver constructs its web every single night to make sure that the web is secure. Females are 5–9 millimetres (0.20–0.35in) long and 10–13mm (0.39–0.51in) wide. COLOR: A brightly colored spider that has a hard, white abdomen with red markings and black spines protruding from the edges. 1. The males are smaller in size, being 2-3mm in length and a little more in terms of width. Perhaps the spider does this in order to prevent other wildlife from ruining its web. Call now. (1) Behavior: Orb weavers are very docile, non-aggressive spiders that will flee at the first sign of a threat (typically they will run or drop off the web). The Spinybacked Orbweaver feeds on a variety of small insects that happen to become tangled in its web. Fact. Your email address will not be published. The spider family Araneidae, commonly known as Orb-weavers, have been sighted 2075 times by contributing members. M. gracilis, called the spined micrathena or spiny-bellied orb weaver, has 5 pairs of black tubercles and a white and black (or yellowish and brown-black) mottled abdomen. Orb Weaver Range and Distribution . Males are much smaller, ranging from 2 to 3 millimeters in length, and slight longer in width. Spine: The spineybacked orb weaver spider, also known as the crab-like orbweaver and the spiny orbweaver, get their common name from the spines that protrude from their abdomen and their body shape that generally looks like that of a crab. They are not dangerous and would easily be overlooked if not for their unique coloration. Its colors vary from whitish to yellowish, mottled with black or brown. Araneidae is most often sighted outdoors, and during the month of October. Development of spiny orb weavers takes place late in the year, and a new web is constructed each night to make sure that the structure is secure. The orb weaver spider group is comprised of a large number of species thus making it difficult to distinguish them from other spider groups and from each other. Family: Araneidae (orb weavers) in the order Araneae (spiders) Description: The spined micrathena is one of three species of spiny orbweavers (genus Micrathena) in Missouri. sheet they are protected with a white or yellow spongy, tangled, loose mass. The species is easy to identify from the six spines that stand out from the sides and back of its abdomen. The colloquial name for this spider in parts of Florida is crab spi… Orb Weaver Spiders This family of spiders is a very large one and includes over 2800 species in over 160 genera worldwide, making it the third largest family of spiders known behind the jumping spider family (Salticidae) and the second largest family of spiders called Linyphiidae commonly known as Sheet Weavers because of the shape of their webs. Parts of Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, China, India, Sri Lanka); Africa, Australia and United States, Woodlands, Crablike spiny orb weavers probably received this common name because of the spines on their backs. They are known If you notice the colorful spiders and some large spun webs, then it may be a sure sign that your yard has been infested by spiny orb-weaver. to build large-sized circular webs like most other orb-weavers for capturing The females of most species are brightly colored with six prominent spines on their broad, hardened, shell-like abdomens. When laid on a silken In North America, there are approximately 180 species of orb weavers. Spines. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies to analyze website traffic and improve your experience on our website. Need help? As their name suggests, these spiders are known for the six spines on their body. Gasteracantha cancriformis spiders have been sighted 57 times by contributing members. It is the most commonly encountered micrathena in Missouri. Easily distinguished from the other species of orb-weaver spiders, the spiny-back species is identified by its colorful body. The spiny backed orb weaver has also been introduced to Hawaii and has established a large population there. I generally prefer more mainstream appeal images - Flowers, kids, pretty buildings, still life, etc.. The spines on the side of the female spider make the Spinybacked Orbweaver unique and easy to recognize. This spider is found almost everywhere in the world in subtropical to tropical areas in North and South America. The spider eggs are often attacked by parasitoid wasps and flies. These These spiders capture flying, and sometimes crawling, insects found around a home. Their abdomen is white and contains black spots with large red spines extending from the edge of the abdomen. Juvenile orb weavers will spin “perfect” orb webs, but as they mature, the webs will become more distinctive and adapted for that particular species. True facts about the Spiny Orb Weaver. Did you know that there are 2,800 species of the Orb Weaver Spiders? 3. has about 100 to 260 eggs which hatch in 11 to 13 days. They do not invade indoors unless carried inside while living in a potted plant. Legs: Their legs and c… Spiny Orb-Weaver Spiders measure about 1/4″ – 1/2″, have 8 legs and are yellow, orange, black, or white in color with red markings. prey. Image Credits: I.redd.it, Upload.wikimedia.org, Barbaracasey.com, Your email address will not be published. The colloquial name for this spider in parts of Florida is crab spider, although it is not related to any of the families of spiders commonly called crab s… The spiny orb weaving spider has six pointy �spines� protruding from along its side. Spiny Orb-Weaver Identification. In situations where numerous spiders are present, the webs can be regularly knocked down. spiders are not aggressive and will bite only if provoked. The large spiny projections are mainly present in the female spiders of this genus, while for the males they look like small humps, being five to six in number. Though their abdomen resembles a crab shell because of the spikes present in the abdomen, one should not confuse them with. Swedish zoologist, Carl Jakob Sundevall was the first to have described this species in the year 1833. Orb Weaver Spider facts. Spiny Orb Weaver Spider However, their Worldwide, arachnologists describe over 3,500 species in the family Araneidae. Orb Weavers One of the most common families of all, the orb-weaver spider or Araneidae exhibits 4,202 types of species under its 175 genera. Join The Wild Adventure Girls as they learn about the Orb Weaver Spider. Spiny Orb Weaver – This group, in the genus Gasteracantha, shares a unique, spiny and colorful cell-like structure on their abdomens. There are a variety of species in this genus and abdomen colors vary from red, orange and yellow to white and ivory. They should not be killed if at all possible. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Araneidae includes 81 countries and 51 states in the United States. This helps to keep predators away. Gasteracantha cancriformi (the star spider, spiny-backed orbweaver, spiny orbweaver spider, crab-like orbweaver spider, crab-like spiny orbweaver spider, jewel spider, spiny-bellied orbweaver, jewel box spider or smiley face spider) is a species of spider. Most micrathenas are found in woodland areas. Steps should then be taken to determine what conditions are attracting so many insects to a home where such a large number of spiders can feed. Spinybacked Orbweaver Description . Besides different parts of Asia, species of this genus is also seen in the continents of America, Africa, and Australia. shrubby gardens, as well as nurseries, and citrus groves. They remain in the silken case between two and five weeks and become dark in color on acquiring maturity. FIGURE 2. Females are twice as big as males and are the ones most of us see, for they are the ones that spin conspicuous webs. The spiny orb-weaver has a spiky casing on its belly. Required fields are marked *. Spiny-backed orb-weavers are sometimes colloquially called "crab spi… The frequent appearance of these spiders, their webs, and egg sacs can be the most common sign that your place has been infested with the pests. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES However, the most observable appearance of orb weavers isn't necessarily their appearance, but the appearance of the large webs they create. Facts About The Spiny Orb Weaver or the Gasteracantha cancriformis. Spiny orb weaver spider and the lessons she taught me Okay, ordinarily I wouldn't take photos of owls, weird plants, spiders, etc. In some regions, people refer to these spiders as “crab spiders” because their shells resemble those of crabs. All rights reserved. One of the 35,000 spider species that is recognizable by its striking appearance. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Although not as large as some of the other orb weavers, its combined color, shape, and distinctive web makes G. cancriformis a very recognizable spider. (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver) The spider species Gasteracantha cancriformis, commonly known as Spiny-backed Orb-weaver, belongs to the genus Gasteracantha, in the family Araneidae. Color: They are a very colorful, easily recognized spider. In fact, the Orb-weaver spider family, Araneidae, is one of the most variable in size and appearance of all spider families. The spiny projections as mentioned below are red or orange, while that of the males are of a darker shade. The genus name Gasteracantha derives from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster, "belly") and ἄκανθα (acantha, "thorn"), while the specific epithet cancriformis derives from the Latin words cancer ("crab") and forma ("shape, form, appearance"). It is widely distributed in the New World.. COMMERCIAL SERVICES, Information On The Different Types Of Spiders, Spider Identification: Home Invaders That Bite, How To Get Rid Of Spiders Before You’re Crawling With Them, Does Natural Spider Repellent Work – Myth Vs. But since joining Flickr, I find I enjoy reading about all kinds of things in other people's streams. Check out our spiny orb weaver selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Spiny backed orb weaver spiders are mainly found in the edges of woodlands, or gardens. Spiny orb-weaver. BEHAVIOR: The spiny-backed orb weaver spins flat, orb-shaped webs in shrubs, trees and in the corners of windows, soffits and similar outdoor areas of buildings. These spiders are also very small, making it hard for a predator to see them and attack them. Looking for: Learn more about the types of cookies we use. The oldest known true orb-weaver is Mesozygiella dunlopi, from the Lower Cretaceous. Although not as large as some of the other common orb weavers (e.g., Argiope, Levi 1968; Neoscona, Edwards 1984), the combination of color, shape, and web characteristics make Gasteracantha cancriformisone of the most conspicuous of spiders. Spines are black or red. SIZE: The body is one-half of an inch or less in length. One of the more colorful spiders in Florida is the spinybacked orbweaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus) 1767. Several fossils provide direct evidence that the three major orb-weaving families, namely Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Uloboridae, had evolved by this time, about 140 million years ago.They probably originated during the Jurassic (200 to 140 million years ago). attack is non-poisonous, causing no serious harm to mankind. It is found in the southern USA and the Caribbean, living in shrubs and the edges of woodland. The spiny-orb weaver belongs to the genus of orb-weaving spiders and has received its name because of the spiny texture visible on the abdomen. Besides different parts of Asia, species of this genus is also seen in the continents of America, Africa, and Australia. This spider feeds mainly on insects. They are not dangerous and would easily be overlooked if not for their unique coloration.