Orb Weavers

One of the most common families of all, the orb-weaver spider or Araneidae exhibits 4,202 types of species under its 175 genera. Their excellent way of spinning webs is the reason they have earned the name.

Orb Weavers

Spiders Belonging to this Family

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Female orb-weavers are 0.78-1.1 in (2-3 cm) and males are smaller.

Color: White, black, green, yellow are common shades, and some species have legs with stripes or bands.

Other Characteristic Features: Species like Gasteracantha cancriformis exhibits spikes on their body.

Eggs

Female orb-weavers produce around 2,500 eggs in a sac, made of silk.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings go through molting before their hatching. They chew off the sac and make the way clear for easy hatching. Spiderlings from one clutch often build small webs and live together for a short period to protect themselves from predators. Then, after reaching adulthood, they spin a soft strand of silk and let the wind blow the silk away, including them. This is known as the process of ballooning.

The Web

The name of the family has come from the specific theme of the web that these spiders make. Although some members of the family do not make a web at all. Most spiders do, and it is orb or circular shaped. Most species eat their webs every day and build a new one.

Are Orb-weaver Spiders Venomous

Orb-weaver spiders are not a threat to humans, and they do not bite unless provoked or threatened. The bite is, however, is not risky at all.

Quick Facts

DistributionAcross the globe
HabitatBackyards and gardens
DietInsects
LifespanAround 1 year

Did You Know

  • This is a family that ranked as the third-largest one amongst all spider families.