Home / Orb Weavers / Fierce Orbweaver Spider (Araneus saevus)

Fierce Orbweaver Spider (Araneus saevus)

The fierce orb weaver spider spins its web in interesting patterns. Part of the orb weaver spider family, it looks a lot like the Araneus nordmanni. Get ready to uncover cool facts about this spider right here!

Scientific Classification

Fierce Orbweaver

Photo Credit: Andrew Block

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 0.9-1.4 cm (0.354-0.55 in) Female: 1.1-2.1 cm (0.433-0.826 in)
  • Color: They are dark brown to black, with a cream or white stripe running through the abdomen.
  • Other Characteristic Features: There are several humps on the dorsal side of the abdomen.

Eggs

This spider overwinters in the eggs stage.

Spiderlings

These spiderlings are yellow.

The Web

This spider weaves webs between spruce branches at various heights, 150 cm above the ground. It is strong and not dense.

Fierce Orbweaver Spider

Photo Credit: Janine Massey

Are Fierce Orbweaver Spiders Venomous?

Yes, fierce orbweaver spiders have venom, but it’s mostly harmless to humans. Their venom helps them catch and eat their prey.

Can Fierce Orbweaver Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite, but it’s rare. If they do, it’s usually not harmful to humans and feels like a pinprick.

Araneus saevus

Photo Credit: Gilles Arbour

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Fierce Orbweaver Spider

The fierce orb weaver plays a significant role in the ecosystem as a natural pest controller. By catching and consuming flying insects such as crane flies and moths, they help to regulate insect populations, thus maintaining the balance within their forest habitats.

Natural Predator: This spider’s natural predators include birds and larger insects, which help to keep its population in check and prevent overpopulation of any one species within the forest ecosystem.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The fierce orb weaver is an integral component of the food web. It serves as both a predator to smaller insects and as prey to larger animals. This dynamic illustrates the balance of nature, where each species plays a role in sustaining the ecosystem.

Relationship with Humans: Interactions between fierce orb weaver spiders and humans are infrequent and usually harmless. While they possess venom, it is not potent enough to cause harm to humans, and bites are both rare and minor.

Araneus saevus Image

Photo Credit: Andrew Block

Quick Facts

LifespanAround 1 year
DistributionCanada and the northern United States, Russia, as well as other parts of Europe
HabitatForests
DietFlying insects like crane flies and moths

Did You Know

  • German entomologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch first described this spider in 1872.

In conclusion, the fierce orb weaver spider is an essential predator within its ecosystem.

The fierce orb weaver spider spins its web in interesting patterns. Part of the orb weaver spider family, it looks a lot like the Araneus nordmanni. Get ready to uncover cool facts about this spider right here!

Fierce Orbweaver

Photo Credit: Andrew Block

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 0.9-1.4 cm (0.354-0.55 in) Female: 1.1-2.1 cm (0.433-0.826 in)
  • Color: They are dark brown to black, with a cream or white stripe running through the abdomen.
  • Other Characteristic Features: There are several humps on the dorsal side of the abdomen.

Eggs

This spider overwinters in the eggs stage.

Spiderlings

These spiderlings are yellow.

The Web

This spider weaves webs between spruce branches at various heights, 150 cm above the ground. It is strong and not dense.

Fierce Orbweaver Spider

Photo Credit: Janine Massey

Are Fierce Orbweaver Spiders Venomous?

Yes, fierce orbweaver spiders have venom, but it’s mostly harmless to humans. Their venom helps them catch and eat their prey.

Can Fierce Orbweaver Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite, but it’s rare. If they do, it’s usually not harmful to humans and feels like a pinprick.

Araneus saevus

Photo Credit: Gilles Arbour

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Fierce Orbweaver Spider

The fierce orb weaver plays a significant role in the ecosystem as a natural pest controller. By catching and consuming flying insects such as crane flies and moths, they help to regulate insect populations, thus maintaining the balance within their forest habitats.

Natural Predator: This spider’s natural predators include birds and larger insects, which help to keep its population in check and prevent overpopulation of any one species within the forest ecosystem.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The fierce orb weaver is an integral component of the food web. It serves as both a predator to smaller insects and as prey to larger animals. This dynamic illustrates the balance of nature, where each species plays a role in sustaining the ecosystem.

Relationship with Humans: Interactions between fierce orb weaver spiders and humans are infrequent and usually harmless. While they possess venom, it is not potent enough to cause harm to humans, and bites are both rare and minor.

Araneus saevus Image

Photo Credit: Andrew Block

Quick Facts

LifespanAround 1 year
DistributionCanada and the northern United States, Russia, as well as other parts of Europe
HabitatForests
DietFlying insects like crane flies and moths

Did You Know

  • German entomologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch first described this spider in 1872.

In conclusion, the fierce orb weaver spider is an essential predator within its ecosystem.