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Cat-Faced (Araneus gemmoides)

The cat-faced spider, known to some as the jewel spider, thrives during the nighttime. Part of the orb-weaver family, these spiders create spiral webs shaped like wheels. Let’s discover more about this fascinating spider in this post.

Table Of Content hide

Physical Description and Identification

Are Cat-Faced Spiders Venomous?

Can Cat-Faced Spiders Bite?

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Cat-Faced Spider

Quick Facts

Did You Know

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Males are between 5mm and 8 mm, while the females are larger, growing 13mm to 25 mm.

Color: These spiders differ in color, as some may be as pale as a straw while others could have a dark brown body. Red, white, and ivory are the other possible colors they may be found in.

Other Characteristic Features: Being a member of the Angulate orb-weaver genus, both sexes have a bulbous abdomen along with frontal projections on both sides, with a white line intersecting in between. They are often found in an upside-down posture as they prefer sitting with their head pointing towards the ground.

Photo Credit: Werner Eigelsreiter

Eggs

Tiny, round, or disc-shaped, contained in a small egg sac made of silk.

Spiderlings

Small in size, they come out of the egg sac in 2 to 3 weeks’ time and disperse through the process of ballooning.

Are Cat-Faced Spiders Venomous?

Yes, cat-faced spiders have venom, but it’s mostly used to immobilize their prey. The venom is generally not harmful to humans.

Can Cat-Faced Spiders Bite?

Cat-faced spiders can bite, but it’s rare. It might inflict a pinching bite if handled, but it often does not penetrate the skin. In any case, there is little chance of any serious health hazard as the venom they produce is harmless to humans.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Cat-Faced Spider

The cat-faced spider plays a pivotal role in natural insect control, especially around human dwellings. Their nocturnal activities involve meticulous web construction, which inadvertently reduces the population of nocturnal insects. The presence of these spiders contributes significantly to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Natural Predator: The primary natural predator of the cat-faced spider is the black and yellow mud-dauber, a wasp that hunts spiders for its larvae. This interaction illustrates the complexity of food chains and the role of natural predators in controlling spider populations.

Photo Credit: pjh40

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Juveniles of this species exhibit cannibalistic tendencies, often consuming their siblings. Mature spiders feed on various insects, impacting the local insect community structure. This dynamic is essential for the balance of different species within their habitat.

Relationship with Humans: These spiders are generally seen as beneficial to humans. Often found near lights or buildings, they help reduce pest insects. Their venom poses little to no risk, making them friendly neighbors rather than pests. In fact, they are sometimes welcomed as natural pest controllers in gardens and farms.

Quick Facts

Lifespan	Few weeks ( Males mostly die post mating and females after producing the first egg sac)
Distribution	United States (Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan, Nebraska, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Wisconsin); Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec)
Habitat	Near light fixtures, around buildings, underwoods, and animal burrows
Common predators	Black and yellow mud-dauber (most prominent enemy), several insects and other spiders
Diet	The younger ones eat their siblings, while the older ones thrive on small and large insects

Did You Know

This species shares its name (cat-faced) with the Araneus gemma, a comparatively smaller spider found in the US. Its other name, jewel spider, coincides with the Austracantha minax, found in Australia.
Most of the juvenile cat-faced spiders do not mature into adulthood as the spiderlings eat up their own siblings after they emerge from the silk sac.
These spiders serve as good pets, helping their owner keep his home and garden free of insects, especially in late summer.

In conclusion, the cat-faced spider’s intricate web patterns not only represent an engineering marvel but also serve as a testament to nature’s efficiency in pest control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you identify a cat-faced spider?

A cat-faced spider is identified by its bulbous abdomen which features two prominent frontal projections resembling cat ears. These orb-weavers also display a wide color variation, from pale straw to dark brown. Their characteristic shape makes them relatively easy to distinguish from other common garden spiders.

Are cat-faced spiders dangerous to humans?

No, cat-faced spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. Although they are venomous, their venom is adapted for immobilizing insect prey and is not medically significant to people. Bites are extremely rare and typically only occur if the spider is directly provoked or pressed against the skin.

What is the size difference between male and female cat-faced spiders?

Female cat-faced spiders are significantly larger than males, a common trait in orb-weavers. An adult female typically measures between 13mm and 25mm in body length, whereas an adult male is much smaller, ranging from only 5mm to 8mm. This size disparity is quite noticeable.

Why do cat-faced spiders hang upside down?

Cat-faced spiders hang upside down in their webs as it is their preferred resting and hunting posture. This head-down orientation is common among orb-weavers, allowing them to efficiently monitor the entire web for vibrations from captured prey and to quickly descend upon an entangled insect.

Does a cat-faced spider bite hurt?

A cat-faced spider bite is unlikely to be painful as their fangs often cannot penetrate human skin. If a bite does occur, it is typically described as a minor pinch. Since their venom is harmless to humans, any resulting irritation is minimal and temporary, posing no serious health risk.

Are cat-faced spiders active during the day?

No, cat-faced spiders are primarily nocturnal creatures. They are most active during the night when they meticulously build or repair their large, wheel-shaped orb webs to catch flying insects. During daylight hours, they typically remain still and hidden near their web, conserving energy for nighttime activities.

What is the ecological role of the cat-faced spider?

The cat-faced spider plays a beneficial ecological role by providing natural insect control. Their nocturnal web-building and hunting activities help to reduce populations of mosquitoes, moths, and other flying insects, particularly around human dwellings. This contributes to maintaining a balanced local ecosystem without chemical intervention.

Cat-Faced (Araneus gemmoides)