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Araneus gemma

Araneus gemma is a member of the family of orb weaver spiders. They are often referred to as the cat-faced spider, a name it shares with Araneus gemmoides.

Scientific Classification

Araneus gemma

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.6-0.8 cm (0.236-0.314 in) Female: 1-1.2 cm (0.393-0.472 in)

Color: They are grey to brownish purple in color.

Other Characteristic Features: The abdomen has anterior paired humps, with a medial light stripe of variable length seen in certain specimens.

Eggs

The eggs are laid inside a sac of orange silk.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings are brown with yellow abdomens.

The Web

The silk of this spider’s web is 1 to 4 μm in diameter.

Is the Araneus gemma Spider Venomous

The venom of these spiders contains argiotoxins, low potency toxins used to hunt their prey but is harmless to humans.

Quick Facts

Lifespan Around 12 months
Distribution Western United States and Canada
Habitat Open areas of trees, large shrubbery, and inside houses
Diet Insects

Did You Know

American naturalist Henry Christopher McCook first described this spider in 1888.

Image Source: nathistoc.bio.uci.edu

Araneus gemma is a member of the family of orb weaver spiders. They are often referred to as the cat-faced spider, a name it shares with Araneus gemmoides.

Araneus gemma

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.6-0.8 cm (0.236-0.314 in) Female: 1-1.2 cm (0.393-0.472 in)

Color: They are grey to brownish purple in color.

Other Characteristic Features: The abdomen has anterior paired humps, with a medial light stripe of variable length seen in certain specimens.

Eggs

The eggs are laid inside a sac of orange silk.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings are brown with yellow abdomens.

The Web

The silk of this spider’s web is 1 to 4 μm in diameter.

Is the Araneus gemma Spider Venomous

The venom of these spiders contains argiotoxins, low potency toxins used to hunt their prey but is harmless to humans.

Quick Facts

Lifespan Around 12 months
Distribution Western United States and Canada
Habitat Open areas of trees, large shrubbery, and inside houses
Diet Insects

Did You Know

American naturalist Henry Christopher McCook first described this spider in 1888.

Image Source: nathistoc.bio.uci.edu