Home / Orb Weavers / Furrow (Larinioides cornutus)

Furrow (Larinioides cornutus)

Did you know there’s a spider called the Furrow spider? It belongs to the orb-weaver family. You can find them in places like North Africa, Europe, parts of Asia, and even in North and South America!

Scientific Classification

Furrow Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Females are 0.23-0.55 inches (0.6-1.4 cm) while males measure 0.19-0.35 inches (0.48-0.88 cm).
  • Color: Their body color varies from black to white or even different shades of red.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The furrow spider appears large with an oval-shaped bulbous abdomen. An arrow-like pattern is also observed on their cephalothorax and legs. They have six eyes placed in a horizontal row, with an extra pair lying above the middle of the row.
Furrow Spider Size

Eggs

Females lay around 3-5 yellow eggs in a silken sac hidden under leaves or a cocoon.

Spiderlings

By the time spiderlings emerge, both of their parents die, so they live independently from the beginning. They attain sexual maturity between 4 and 18 months.

The Web

They build orb webs close to the ground, mostly on damp vegetation or shrublands. Each night, they consume the web and then make a new one the next evening.

Furrow Spider Web

Are Furrow Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Furrow spiders do have venom. They use it to help catch their food. For most people, this venom isn’t really harmful.

Can Furrow Spiders Bite?

Yep! If they feel threatened, they might give a little bite. It might be a tiny ouch, but it’s usually not too bad. Always nice to be gentle with small friends!

Furrow Orb Weaver Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Furrow Spider

The Furrow spider plays a crucial role in controlling the population of smaller insects, contributing to the ecological balance of its habitat. Their nightly ritual of web reconstruction is not just a means of hunting, but also serves as a method of habitat maintenance, ensuring a fresh, sticky surface for capturing prey.

Natural Predators & Prey-Predator Dynamics: Despite their venomous bite, Furrow spiders are not without natural predators. Black and yellow mud daubers and birds frequently prey on these spiders, showcasing the dynamic and delicate balance within the ecosystem.

Relationship with Humans: Furrow spiders and humans maintain a generally harmonious coexistence. Their presence in gardens and moist habitats near human dwellings aids in controlling pest populations. Though their bite is venomous, it is of minimal concern to humans, emphasizing the importance of a respectful and gentle approach towards these fascinating creatures.

Quick Facts

Other NamesFurrow orb spider, foliate spider
DistributionUnited States, Canada, eastern and southern Alaska, Japan, Eastern China, Egypt, Kamchatka Peninsula, and northeastern Algeria
HabitatMostly in moist areas near water bodies, and also in bridges, barns, and houses
DietGnats, mosquitoes, and damselflies
PredatorsBlack and yellow mud daubers, and birds
Web TypeOrb web
IUCN Conservation StatusNot listed
Male Furrow Spider

Did You Know

  • Swedish arachnologist Carl Alexander Clerck described the furrow orb-weaver first in 1757.

Picture of a Furrow Spider

In conclusion, the Furrow spider, with its diverse habitats, unique physical characteristics, and vital ecological role, stands as a testament to the fascinating world of arachnids. 

Did you know there’s a spider called the Furrow spider? It belongs to the orb-weaver family. You can find them in places like North Africa, Europe, parts of Asia, and even in North and South America!

Furrow Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Females are 0.23-0.55 inches (0.6-1.4 cm) while males measure 0.19-0.35 inches (0.48-0.88 cm).
  • Color: Their body color varies from black to white or even different shades of red.
  • Other Characteristic Features: The furrow spider appears large with an oval-shaped bulbous abdomen. An arrow-like pattern is also observed on their cephalothorax and legs. They have six eyes placed in a horizontal row, with an extra pair lying above the middle of the row.
Furrow Spider Size

Eggs

Females lay around 3-5 yellow eggs in a silken sac hidden under leaves or a cocoon.

Spiderlings

By the time spiderlings emerge, both of their parents die, so they live independently from the beginning. They attain sexual maturity between 4 and 18 months.

The Web

They build orb webs close to the ground, mostly on damp vegetation or shrublands. Each night, they consume the web and then make a new one the next evening.

Furrow Spider Web

Are Furrow Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Furrow spiders do have venom. They use it to help catch their food. For most people, this venom isn’t really harmful.

Can Furrow Spiders Bite?

Yep! If they feel threatened, they might give a little bite. It might be a tiny ouch, but it’s usually not too bad. Always nice to be gentle with small friends!

Furrow Orb Weaver Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Furrow Spider

The Furrow spider plays a crucial role in controlling the population of smaller insects, contributing to the ecological balance of its habitat. Their nightly ritual of web reconstruction is not just a means of hunting, but also serves as a method of habitat maintenance, ensuring a fresh, sticky surface for capturing prey.

Natural Predators & Prey-Predator Dynamics: Despite their venomous bite, Furrow spiders are not without natural predators. Black and yellow mud daubers and birds frequently prey on these spiders, showcasing the dynamic and delicate balance within the ecosystem.

Relationship with Humans: Furrow spiders and humans maintain a generally harmonious coexistence. Their presence in gardens and moist habitats near human dwellings aids in controlling pest populations. Though their bite is venomous, it is of minimal concern to humans, emphasizing the importance of a respectful and gentle approach towards these fascinating creatures.

Quick Facts

Other NamesFurrow orb spider, foliate spider
DistributionUnited States, Canada, eastern and southern Alaska, Japan, Eastern China, Egypt, Kamchatka Peninsula, and northeastern Algeria
HabitatMostly in moist areas near water bodies, and also in bridges, barns, and houses
DietGnats, mosquitoes, and damselflies
PredatorsBlack and yellow mud daubers, and birds
Web TypeOrb web
IUCN Conservation StatusNot listed
Male Furrow Spider

Did You Know

  • Swedish arachnologist Carl Alexander Clerck described the furrow orb-weaver first in 1757.

Picture of a Furrow Spider

In conclusion, the Furrow spider, with its diverse habitats, unique physical characteristics, and vital ecological role, stands as a testament to the fascinating world of arachnids.