Missouri Department of Conservation
Home » Discover Nature » Field Guide

Arboreal Orb Weavers

Neoscona spp. and Araneus spp.
Family: 
Araneidae (typical orb-weavers) in the order Araneae (spiders)
Description: 

There are several species of Neoscona and Araneus orb weavers in Missouri, and some are quite difficult to distinguish, even by specialists. Often, one must note small details of their anatomy in order to "key them out" to determine the species.

Neoscona species have a slightly triangular-ovate abdomen with a pattern resembling an upside-down spruce tree. On each side of this midline may be black, brown and greenish-brown markings. The legs usually are gray with brown rings. The carapace may be gray with brown markings. Araneus species may be similarly marked and colored, though some are quite showy and less hairy.

Size: 
Length: usually about 1/4 inch (not including the legs); males are smaller than females.
Habitat and conservation: 
These rather large and often hairy spiders are common in open woods, brushy fields, in tall grassy areas, and around fenceposts and buildings. They are common on the eaves of houses and barns. They may build their webs wherever structures are present for support and where flying insects commonly pass through.
Foods: 
Flying insects such as moths and crane flies are the principal prey. Once caught in sticky strands of the web, they are bitten and trussed by the spider, which later eats them. Many orb weavers are nocturnal and have the peculiar habit of eating and rebuilding their webs each day. Webs are built at dusk and used for snaring prey during the night. At dawn, the spider reingests the strands (along with moisture that has collected on it as dew) and recycles the nutrients in making the next web.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Statewide.
Life cycle: 
Eggs hatch in spring and the young spiderlings disperse and begin building webs, hunting and growing. Males do not spin webs. Once mature, the males wander in search of a mate, and the females hang in webs eating and awaiting a mate. Once mated, the female keeps eating and creates egg cases. The first freezes usually kill all the adult spiders, with only the eggs overwintering.
Human connections: 
The amazing web patterns have fascinated humans for millennia. E. B. White wrote his classic "Charlotte's Web" about an Araneus spider. Orb weavers control populations of flying insects, many of which are pestiferous. Orb weavers don't bite unless molested, and their bites are not dangerous, anyway.
Ecosystem connections: 
These spiders control populations of flying insects. Although they may seem ferocious, outside their webs and hiding places these delicate creatures are quite vulnerable to predation themselves. Also, their egg sacs are relished by many species and, for example, provide winter food for many birds.

Other Content You May Like

  • Orchard Orb Weaver

    These colorful, delicate spiders make circular webs that are usually positioned horizontally or at an angle to the ground, and they typically hang in the middle of their webs.

  • Right In Your Own Backyard

    These tiny hunters prey on bugs that pollinate our flowers.

  • Spider! Spider!

    A report on the enemy's movements and lifestyle.

  • Marbled Orb Weaver

    Video of a marbled orb weaver spider in the wild.

  • Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider

    This large, harmless spider sets up large, circular webs in gardens and grasslands. Lucky gardeners can host this remarkable pest-exterminator all season long.

  • Black Widow Spider

    The glossy, black-bodied female widows have distinctive red spots on the underside of their abdomens. In L. mactans this spot often is shaped like an hourglass; in L. variolus it is not. Faint red or white spots may also appear on top of the abdomen, as they do in males. Only the sedentary female black widow is capable of inflicting a potentially dangerous bite; the wandering and seldom-seen male is harmless.

  • Funnel Web Spiders

    A unique web is characteristic of this group of spiders and is more often noticed than the spider itself. The web is sheetlike, usually positioned horizontally, with a funnel leading downward to a shelter (a rock crevice or dense vegetation) where the spiders hides, waiting for prey.

MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.

We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Find out more

Runge Nature Center
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6456
Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Featured Pic

Check out the featured picture and other images at the MDC Media Gallery

Visit the media gallery
Popular Topics

Follow MDC on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr Pinterest Slideshare MDC RSS feeds

© 2013 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All rights reserved.