The arabesque orbweaver is a common orb-weaving spider in Missouri. The coloration is quite variable, ranging from tan to yellow, orange, rusty, brown, or blackish brown, but the slanting, not horizontal, dark slash marks on the abdomen help to identify it.
It is one of the common members of Missouri's orbweavers in genus Neoscona, spiny-legged spiders that all tend to have camouflage patterns and make characteristic, delicate, wheel-shaped webs to catch prey.
During the day, the female arabesque orbweaver hides in a retreat such as a rolled-up leaf. At night, she sits in her wheel-shaped web with the tip of her abdomen protruding through an open space in the center of the web.
Similar species: Missouri has four species in genus Neoscona, including the spotted orbweaver. In general, spiders in this group are difficult to distinguish, even by specialists. Neoscona species typically 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.
Spiders in genus Araneus are similar, as well; common Missouri representatives include the marbled orbweaver and openfield orbweaver.
Spiders in genus Larinioides, called furrow orbweavers, are also camouflage-patterned orbweavers common near homes.
Length: usually about ¼ inch (not including the legs); males are smaller than females.
Statewide.
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. By day, females typically hide in a curled up leaf or other refuge next to the web. At night, they rest in the center of the web, awaiting prey.
Food
Flying insects such as moths and 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 orbweavers are nocturnal, and this species is no exception.
Life Cycle
Like most other spiders in Missouri, these small animals emerge from egg sacs early in the growing season and spend the summer growing. Those that survive long enough will have reached their maximum size by late summer and early fall. Females eat insects and create egg cases. As insect prey decreases in late summer, these spiders have less to eat. Cold weather makes them increasingly sluggish. The adults die when it freezes. The young overwinter in egg cases.
Human Connections
The name "arabesque" apparently refers to the ornate pattern on the tops of these spiders, which resembles the ornate, flowery, interlacing patterns of Arabic or Moorish decoration (think of the patterns in Islamic art, such as on oriental rugs, or in the decorative architecture of mosques). This, of course, is not the only spider with an ornate pattern. But it reminds us to look closely at even the smallest pieces of nature, where we may find unexpected beauty.
Most people are not keen on having spiders around their homes, or of walking right into them on hiking trails. But remember that spiders do us a wonderful service of free, nontoxic pest control, all summer long and into the fall.
Orbweavers don't bite unless molested, and their bites are not dangerous, anyway.
These are some of the spiders that commonly build their webs right across trails. An oldtime Ozark folk belief held that if you encounter a big orbweaver right in the middle of your path, you'll be getting a letter within a few days.
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. This helps explain their ornate, but very cryptic camouflage coloration. Also, their egg sacs are relished by many species and provide winter food for many birds.
