Did you know the Cross Orb Weaver spider comes from Europe and North America? Their legs are super cool because they can spin special round webs. That’s why they’re called Orb Weavers! They came to the United States from several places in Europe.
After copulation, the females lay about 200-900 eggs in a sac that remains hung from the web. The size of the egg sac itself is nearly the same as the size of the adult garden spiders. The sac is covered in brown silk and is durable enough to protect the baby spiders from strong winds and predator attacks.
The baby spiders overwinter within their eggs and hatch out to disperse only when spring arrives. The mother spiders die soon after laying the eggs, and can neither wait to protect the sac, nor the newborn offspring or assist them in finding food, hence, the spiderlings grow up by themselves.
Yep, Cross Orb Weaver Spiders do have venom. They use it mostly to catch bugs for dinner.
They sure can! If they’re scared or bothered, they might bite. But for people, their bites usually just feel like a little pinch.
Cross Orb Weaver spiders are essential in controlling insect populations. Their elaborate orb-webs, which can span up to 40 cm in diameter, are not just marvels of natural engineering but also serve as effective traps for flying insects like flies and mosquitoes. This predatory behavior helps regulate pest populations, contributing to a healthy balance in their habitats.
Natural Predator: While they are predators in their own right, Cross Orb Weavers also fall prey to birds and reptiles such as lizards. Their presence in a variety of ecosystems signifies a well-established food chain where these spiders serve as both predator and prey.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their diet consists primarily of flying insects, which they capture with their venomous bite. The venom is potent, quickly immobilizing their prey and allowing the spider to consume it at their leisure. Interestingly, these spiders often wrap and store their prey for later consumption.
Relationship with Humans: Cross Orb Weaver spiders often live close to human settlements, particularly where exterior lighting attracts their insect prey. While they can bite, it’s usually only a defense response, and the bite is not harmful to humans. Instead, their presence is largely beneficial, as they help keep down the populations of insects that humans typically regard as pests.
| Other Names | European garden spider, diadem spider, pumpkin spider, orangie, cross spider, crowned orb weaver |
| Lifespan | The average lifespan of the female is twelve months; however, most of them die after laying eggs; the males are often consumed by the females after mating |
| Distribution | In parts of North America throughout a range that extends from New England, as well as in the Southeast to California and the Northwestern US and adjacent regions of Canada |
| Habitat | They are found in a varied range of habitats, including meadows, woodland clearings, hedgerows, human-made gardens, as also, next to buildings especially those with exterior lighting (where they can prey upon insects very easily) |
| Common predators | Mostly birds, but also various reptiles including lizards |
| Diet | Usually flying insects, including flies and mosquitoes |
In summary, Cross Orb Weaver spiders are key insect predators, skilled web builders, with a non-harmful bite, often near humans.
Did you know the Cross Orb Weaver spider comes from Europe and North America? Their legs are super cool because they can spin special round webs. That’s why they’re called Orb Weavers! They came to the United States from several places in Europe.
After copulation, the females lay about 200-900 eggs in a sac that remains hung from the web. The size of the egg sac itself is nearly the same as the size of the adult garden spiders. The sac is covered in brown silk and is durable enough to protect the baby spiders from strong winds and predator attacks.
The baby spiders overwinter within their eggs and hatch out to disperse only when spring arrives. The mother spiders die soon after laying the eggs, and can neither wait to protect the sac, nor the newborn offspring or assist them in finding food, hence, the spiderlings grow up by themselves.
Yep, Cross Orb Weaver Spiders do have venom. They use it mostly to catch bugs for dinner.
They sure can! If they’re scared or bothered, they might bite. But for people, their bites usually just feel like a little pinch.
Cross Orb Weaver spiders are essential in controlling insect populations. Their elaborate orb-webs, which can span up to 40 cm in diameter, are not just marvels of natural engineering but also serve as effective traps for flying insects like flies and mosquitoes. This predatory behavior helps regulate pest populations, contributing to a healthy balance in their habitats.
Natural Predator: While they are predators in their own right, Cross Orb Weavers also fall prey to birds and reptiles such as lizards. Their presence in a variety of ecosystems signifies a well-established food chain where these spiders serve as both predator and prey.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their diet consists primarily of flying insects, which they capture with their venomous bite. The venom is potent, quickly immobilizing their prey and allowing the spider to consume it at their leisure. Interestingly, these spiders often wrap and store their prey for later consumption.
Relationship with Humans: Cross Orb Weaver spiders often live close to human settlements, particularly where exterior lighting attracts their insect prey. While they can bite, it’s usually only a defense response, and the bite is not harmful to humans. Instead, their presence is largely beneficial, as they help keep down the populations of insects that humans typically regard as pests.
| Other Names | European garden spider, diadem spider, pumpkin spider, orangie, cross spider, crowned orb weaver |
| Lifespan | The average lifespan of the female is twelve months; however, most of them die after laying eggs; the males are often consumed by the females after mating |
| Distribution | In parts of North America throughout a range that extends from New England, as well as in the Southeast to California and the Northwestern US and adjacent regions of Canada |
| Habitat | They are found in a varied range of habitats, including meadows, woodland clearings, hedgerows, human-made gardens, as also, next to buildings especially those with exterior lighting (where they can prey upon insects very easily) |
| Common predators | Mostly birds, but also various reptiles including lizards |
| Diet | Usually flying insects, including flies and mosquitoes |
In summary, Cross Orb Weaver spiders are key insect predators, skilled web builders, with a non-harmful bite, often near humans.
Dr. James Watuwa on February 14, 2019.
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