The arrowhead spiders are orb-weaving species mostly indigenous to the New World. The first half of their genus name (Verrucosa) translates to warty while arenata means sand in Latin.
Size: The females are approximately 1/4th inch while their male counterparts are smaller.
Color: Reddish brown body,with a triangular pattern of white,yellow and pink on the abdomen (mostly seen in females).
Other Characteristic Features: Its body has a zig-zag pattern, helping it to appear bigger than its actual size to the predators. Another of its trademark features, seen only in the female spider is the pointed and triangular abdomen in the shape of an arrow, which is perhaps the reason behind its name. They are even characterized by spines to the front as well as to each of its sides.
Wrapped in a case of silk, the eggs are small and round.
There are many in number, hatching mostly in spring and within a short span they get detached from their mother.
Like most orb weaving spiders, their webs are also flat and spiral-shaped. They weave a new web on a daily basis, with the old one being removed post sunrise.
They are not harmful and their bite does not cause harm to humans. However, redness, swelling or allergic reactions could be encountered by some.
| Other names | Arrowhead orb weaver, Triangle orb weaver |
| Lifespan | Females live for a year while males have a shorter span |
| Distribution | Northern and Southern America, as well as parts of Greater Antilles. |
| Habitat | Seen mostly in spring and summer in marshy lands, gardens, shrubby areas, wetlands, and wooded thickets |
| Predators | Wasps and species of birds |
| Diet | Different varieties of insects and small frogs |
Image Credits: Bugguide.net, Static.inaturalist.org, C1.staticflickr.com, 2.bp.blogspot.com, lh3.googleusercontent.com
The arrowhead spiders are orb-weaving species mostly indigenous to the New World. The first half of their genus name (Verrucosa) translates to warty while arenata means sand in Latin.
Size: The females are approximately 1/4th inch while their male counterparts are smaller.
Color: Reddish brown body,with a triangular pattern of white,yellow and pink on the abdomen (mostly seen in females).
Other Characteristic Features: Its body has a zig-zag pattern, helping it to appear bigger than its actual size to the predators. Another of its trademark features, seen only in the female spider is the pointed and triangular abdomen in the shape of an arrow, which is perhaps the reason behind its name. They are even characterized by spines to the front as well as to each of its sides.
Wrapped in a case of silk, the eggs are small and round.
There are many in number, hatching mostly in spring and within a short span they get detached from their mother.
Like most orb weaving spiders, their webs are also flat and spiral-shaped. They weave a new web on a daily basis, with the old one being removed post sunrise.
They are not harmful and their bite does not cause harm to humans. However, redness, swelling or allergic reactions could be encountered by some.
| Other names | Arrowhead orb weaver, Triangle orb weaver |
| Lifespan | Females live for a year while males have a shorter span |
| Distribution | Northern and Southern America, as well as parts of Greater Antilles. |
| Habitat | Seen mostly in spring and summer in marshy lands, gardens, shrubby areas, wetlands, and wooded thickets |
| Predators | Wasps and species of birds |
| Diet | Different varieties of insects and small frogs |
Image Credits: Bugguide.net, Static.inaturalist.org, C1.staticflickr.com, 2.bp.blogspot.com, lh3.googleusercontent.com
