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Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata)

Arrow-shaped micrathena of the orb-weaver family thrives in the eastern parts of the United States and Central America. One of its noteworthy features is its arrow-shaped abdomen, which has earned the spider its name.

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size:  The males are 0.20 (5 mm) inches long, while the females are a little larger and have a body length of 0.35 inches (9 mm).

Color:  The females are brightly colored than the males who are hardly seen. In fact, the male spiders have a black body with white on the edges, whereas the females have red head and legs. They also have a bright yellow abdomen with red and black spots.

Other Characteristic Features: They have a long, triangular abdomen resembling an arrow-head.  The females have sharp spines protruding from the edges of their abdomen, which also helps them to keep predators at bay. The males, on the other hand, do not have spines.

Eggs

The eggs are small and round, laid on the sides of the web, near to a leaf. They remain in the sac for the winter and hatch the following spring.

Spiderlings

After hatching from the eggs, the spiderlings initially have longer abdomens and shorter spines. As the spiders mature, they acquire an adult-like body pattern.

The Web

The male and female species spin spiral webs positioned vertically in an up-down posture. Most of the webs also have a zig-zag decorative structure called stabilimentum, a little above the middle portion. Like most other orb-weavers, they too rebuild the webs regularly.

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Web

Are Arrow-shaped Micrathena Spiders Venomous

These spiders do have venom which paralyzes as well as kill bugs. However, they do no harm to humans.

Quick Facts

Other NamesArrow spider
DistributionEastern parts of the United States and all over Central America
HabitatForested areas, in shrubs or other foliages present in the backyard or garden
DietVariety of insects caught in their web’s sticky strands
LifespanApproximately 1 year
Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Spider

Did You Know

  • Out the six spikes, the two present at both ends of the abdomen gives the impression of spearheads.

Image Source: Images.squarespace-cdn.com, A4.pbase.com, Ninnescahlife.wichita.edu

Arrow-shaped micrathena of the orb-weaver family thrives in the eastern parts of the United States and Central America. One of its noteworthy features is its arrow-shaped abdomen, which has earned the spider its name.

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size:  The males are 0.20 (5 mm) inches long, while the females are a little larger and have a body length of 0.35 inches (9 mm).

Color:  The females are brightly colored than the males who are hardly seen. In fact, the male spiders have a black body with white on the edges, whereas the females have red head and legs. They also have a bright yellow abdomen with red and black spots.

Other Characteristic Features: They have a long, triangular abdomen resembling an arrow-head.  The females have sharp spines protruding from the edges of their abdomen, which also helps them to keep predators at bay. The males, on the other hand, do not have spines.

Eggs

The eggs are small and round, laid on the sides of the web, near to a leaf. They remain in the sac for the winter and hatch the following spring.

Spiderlings

After hatching from the eggs, the spiderlings initially have longer abdomens and shorter spines. As the spiders mature, they acquire an adult-like body pattern.

The Web

The male and female species spin spiral webs positioned vertically in an up-down posture. Most of the webs also have a zig-zag decorative structure called stabilimentum, a little above the middle portion. Like most other orb-weavers, they too rebuild the webs regularly.

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Web

Are Arrow-shaped Micrathena Spiders Venomous

These spiders do have venom which paralyzes as well as kill bugs. However, they do no harm to humans.

Quick Facts

Other NamesArrow spider
DistributionEastern parts of the United States and all over Central America
HabitatForested areas, in shrubs or other foliages present in the backyard or garden
DietVariety of insects caught in their web’s sticky strands
LifespanApproximately 1 year
Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Spider

Did You Know

  • Out the six spikes, the two present at both ends of the abdomen gives the impression of spearheads.

Image Source: Images.squarespace-cdn.com, A4.pbase.com, Ninnescahlife.wichita.edu

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