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Garden Orb Weaver Spider (Eriophora pustulosa)

The Garden Orb Weaver Spider is a fascinating creature found mainly in Australasia. These spiders belong to the orb weaver family, and they have some cool traits. Read on, and we’ll share interesting facts about them right here!

Scientific Classification

Garden Orb Weaver Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 1.7 cm (0.66 in) Female: 2.5 cm (0.98 in)

Garden Orb Weaver Spider Size

  • Color: Though their colors vary from specimen to specimen, they are brightly colored.
  • Other Characteristic Features: These spiders have five distinct spines, two large ones halfway down their back and three smaller ones near the end of the abdomen.

Garden Orb Weaving Spider

Eggs

The eggs are laid in a nest made up of webbing.

Spiderlings

Once mature, they are known to disperse via ballooning.

Garden Orb Weaver Spiderlings

The Web

These spiders spin a circular web for prey to fly into at night.

Eriophora Pustulosa Web

Are Garden Orb Weaver Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Garden Orb Weaver Spiders are venomous, but their venom is not harmful to humans.

Can Garden Orb Weaver Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if threatened or provoked, but their bites are usually not serious and cause only mild discomfort.

Eriophora Pustulos

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Garden Orb Weaver Spider

The Garden Orb Weaver Spider is an integral part of controlling the insect population, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems where they reside. They are most active at night when they rebuild their webs to catch fresh prey.

Natural Predator: Their main predators are honeyeaters, a group of birds that can navigate the spiders’ webs to feed on them. This predation is a natural form of population control for the spiders.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: As nocturnal predators, Garden Orb Weavers impact the insect populations, helping to keep them in check. Their webs are not only homes but also effective traps for various flying insects, which they consume.

Relationship with Humans: Humans generally regard Garden Orb Weavers positively, as they help reduce the number of insects around homes and gardens. Their presence is beneficial, and they are often appreciated for their pest control contributions.

Quick Facts

Other namesKnobbled orb weaver
Lifespan12 months
DistributionAustralia and New Zealand
HabitatOpenings between trees and shrubs
Common PredatorsHoneyeaters
DietFlying insects like beetles, bugs, and flies

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1841.

In conclusion, the Garden Orb Weaver is an ecologically valuable insect predator, harmless to humans and beneficial for natural pest control.

Knobbled Orb Weaver

The Garden Orb Weaver Spider is a fascinating creature found mainly in Australasia. These spiders belong to the orb weaver family, and they have some cool traits. Read on, and we’ll share interesting facts about them right here!

Garden Orb Weaver Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 1.7 cm (0.66 in) Female: 2.5 cm (0.98 in)

Garden Orb Weaver Spider Size

  • Color: Though their colors vary from specimen to specimen, they are brightly colored.
  • Other Characteristic Features: These spiders have five distinct spines, two large ones halfway down their back and three smaller ones near the end of the abdomen.

Garden Orb Weaving Spider

Eggs

The eggs are laid in a nest made up of webbing.

Spiderlings

Once mature, they are known to disperse via ballooning.

Garden Orb Weaver Spiderlings

The Web

These spiders spin a circular web for prey to fly into at night.

Eriophora Pustulosa Web

Are Garden Orb Weaver Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Garden Orb Weaver Spiders are venomous, but their venom is not harmful to humans.

Can Garden Orb Weaver Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if threatened or provoked, but their bites are usually not serious and cause only mild discomfort.

Eriophora Pustulos

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Garden Orb Weaver Spider

The Garden Orb Weaver Spider is an integral part of controlling the insect population, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems where they reside. They are most active at night when they rebuild their webs to catch fresh prey.

Natural Predator: Their main predators are honeyeaters, a group of birds that can navigate the spiders’ webs to feed on them. This predation is a natural form of population control for the spiders.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: As nocturnal predators, Garden Orb Weavers impact the insect populations, helping to keep them in check. Their webs are not only homes but also effective traps for various flying insects, which they consume.

Relationship with Humans: Humans generally regard Garden Orb Weavers positively, as they help reduce the number of insects around homes and gardens. Their presence is beneficial, and they are often appreciated for their pest control contributions.

Quick Facts

Other namesKnobbled orb weaver
Lifespan12 months
DistributionAustralia and New Zealand
HabitatOpenings between trees and shrubs
Common PredatorsHoneyeaters
DietFlying insects like beetles, bugs, and flies

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1841.

In conclusion, the Garden Orb Weaver is an ecologically valuable insect predator, harmless to humans and beneficial for natural pest control.

Knobbled Orb Weaver