Araneus genus, a part of the orb-weaver family, has around 650 species, of which the prominent ones include the barn spider and the European garden spider. The name Epeira initially used to describe the genus is now considered as its junior synonym.
Size: Females are around 1 in (2.54 cm) and males are maximum 0.3 in (0.76 cm).
Color: Brown or tan-colored bodies with black, white, and brown-banded legs.
Other Characteristic Features: Male spiders have longer legs and smaller but more elongated abdomen than females. The pedipalps of male spiders have noodles with a hook-shape. The external genital structure of female spiders has a long appendage.
Female spiders make a silken sac and lays about 100 eggs in them.
The eggs overwinter and hatch afterward. Spiderlings of many species are yellow. Following sibling cannibalism and survival, the spiderlings make a single silk strand and disperse through the process of “ballooning.”
The spiders of this genus mostly make a spiral or wheel-shaped webs like most orb-weavers.
Some species of the genus have mild venom that does not cause any harm to humans, though. They can even inflict a dry bite (without any venom) that is not harmful but requires medical treatment.
| Distribution | America, Asia, and Africa |
| Habitat | Under woods and leaf litters |
| Diet | Insects and other spiders |
| Web Type | Orb web |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year |
Image Credits: commons.wikimedia.org
Araneus genus, a part of the orb-weaver family, has around 650 species, of which the prominent ones include the barn spider and the European garden spider. The name Epeira initially used to describe the genus is now considered as its junior synonym.
Size: Females are around 1 in (2.54 cm) and males are maximum 0.3 in (0.76 cm).
Color: Brown or tan-colored bodies with black, white, and brown-banded legs.
Other Characteristic Features: Male spiders have longer legs and smaller but more elongated abdomen than females. The pedipalps of male spiders have noodles with a hook-shape. The external genital structure of female spiders has a long appendage.
Female spiders make a silken sac and lays about 100 eggs in them.
The eggs overwinter and hatch afterward. Spiderlings of many species are yellow. Following sibling cannibalism and survival, the spiderlings make a single silk strand and disperse through the process of “ballooning.”
The spiders of this genus mostly make a spiral or wheel-shaped webs like most orb-weavers.
Some species of the genus have mild venom that does not cause any harm to humans, though. They can even inflict a dry bite (without any venom) that is not harmful but requires medical treatment.
| Distribution | America, Asia, and Africa |
| Habitat | Under woods and leaf litters |
| Diet | Insects and other spiders |
| Web Type | Orb web |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year |
Image Credits: commons.wikimedia.org
