Home / Orb Weavers / Araneus gemma

Araneus gemma

Araneus gemma is a special kind of spider called an orb weaver. Some people call it the cat-faced spider, just like its relative, Araneus gemmoides. Ready to uncover fun facts about this unique spider?

Table Of Content hide

Physical Description and Identification

Are Araneus gemma Spiders Venomous?

Can Araneus gemma Spiders Bite?

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Araneus gemma

Quick Facts

Did You Know

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.

Are Araneus gemma Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Araneus gemma spiders have venom. It’s mainly for catching their food, and it’s usually not harmful to humans.

Can Araneus gemma Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can! Araneus gemma spiders might bite if scared or cornered. However, they’re often peaceful and prefer to keep to themselves.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Araneus gemma

Araneus gemma, with their distinctive orb webs, are excellent natural pest controllers. They are mostly active at night, spinning intricate webs to catch flying insects. Their presence in gardens and fields supports the balance of the ecosystem by keeping the insect population in check.

Natural Predator: Birds, especially species that feed during twilight or dawn, are the main predators of Araneus gemma. These birds use their keen eyesight to spot the spiders on their webs. Additionally, wasps may prey on them, using the spiders to feed their larvae.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Araneus gemma’s web is not just a home but a trap for their prey, which mainly includes flying insects. Their venom, though mild to humans, is lethal to their prey, paralyzing them upon capture. This dynamic showcases nature’s balance as the spider regulates insect populations, while also being a food source for other animals.

Relationship with Humans: Araneus gemma spiders often go unnoticed by humans due to their non-aggressive nature and the fact that their venom isn’t harmful to us. They may even be seen as beneficial due to their diet of common pests. Sometimes, they wander into homes, which may scare some people, but they’re harmless and can be easily and safely moved outside.

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.

In conclusion, the Araneus gemma spider is a captivating species that serves a vital role in our environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you identify an Araneus gemma spider?

You can identify an Araneus gemma spider by its distinct physical traits. Females grow up to 1.2 cm and are grey to brownish-purple. They feature characteristic paired humps on the front of their abdomen, which gives them a unique “cat-faced” appearance, similar to their close relatives.

Are Araneus gemma spiders dangerous to humans?

Araneus gemma spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. While they possess venom to subdue insect prey, it is not medically significant for people. They may bite defensively if provoked or trapped against the skin, but they are generally non-aggressive and prefer to avoid human contact.

What time of day is Araneus gemma most active?

Araneus gemma is most active at night. As a nocturnal species, it typically spends the evening hours constructing or repairing its intricate orb web to catch flying insects. During the day, the spider often remains still and hidden near its web to avoid predators like birds and wasps.

What do Araneus gemma spiderlings look like?

Araneus gemma spiderlings have a different appearance from the adults after hatching from an orange silk egg sac. The young spiders are primarily brown but are easily distinguished by their bright yellow abdomens. This coloration changes as they mature into the greyish-purple hues of the adult spiders.

What are the natural predators of the Araneus gemma spider?

The primary natural predators of the Araneus gemma spider are birds and certain species of wasps. Birds that are active during twilight or dawn are adept at spotting the spiders on their webs. Additionally, predatory wasps hunt these spiders, often using them as a food source for their larvae.

Does the Araneus gemma spider bite people?

Yes, an Araneus gemma spider can bite people, but it is a rare occurrence. A bite typically only happens if the spider feels threatened, cornered, or is pressed against skin. They are generally peaceful spiders that prefer to retreat or remain still rather than act aggressively towards humans.

How big do female Araneus gemma spiders get?

A female Araneus gemma spider reaches a body length of approximately 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.393 to 0.472 inches). They are significantly larger than their male counterparts, which only grow to about 0.6 to 0.8 centimeters. This size difference is a common trait among orb-weaving spiders.

Araneus gemma