Discover the spiny-backed orb-weaver, a fascinating spider from the orb-weaver family. Found mostly in the New World, these spiders are known for the unique, spine-like bumps on their back. In this post, we’ll share some cool facts about them!
The eggs after being laid on a silken sheet are wrapped in yellowish or white silken strands. They hatch within 13 days and have a pinkish-white coloration just before their first molt.
At the onset they appear bright and within 5 or 7 days become darker. The spiderlings usually emerge during the winter and disperse on their own in the following spring as they gain sexual maturity.
Female spiders make webs every night using silken strands, and then sit on it facing downwards waiting for their prey. The males hang from a single thread near the web to allure females.
Yes, spinybacked orbweaver spiders have venom, but it’s usually not harmful to humans and is used to subdue their prey.
Spinybacked orbweaver spiders can bite if threatened, but their bite is generally not dangerous to humans and might cause mild irritation.
The spiny-backed orb-weaver plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, primarily through its diet consisting of moths, whiteflies, beetles, and drosophilids. Their nocturnal web-spinning activities contribute to the control of insect populations in their habitats.
Natural Predators and Prey-Predator Dynamics: Birds and larger insects stand as natural predators to the spiny-backed orb-weaver. The spider’s survival hinges on its ability to expertly navigate these predator-prey dynamics, utilizing its web both as a tool for capturing prey and as a means of evasion from predators.
Relationship with Humans: Commonly found in shrubby gardens, woodland edges, and trees, the spiny-backed orb-weaver is a familiar sight to many. Despite its venomous nature, it poses little to no threat to humans, instead serving as a natural pest controller.
Other Names | Spinybacked orb weaver, star spider |
Distribution | United States, Cuba, Jamaica |
Habitat | Shrubby gardens, woodland edges, trees |
Diet | Moths, whiteflies, beetles, and drosophilids |
Web Type | Orb web |
Predator | Whiteflies, beetles, flies, moths |
Lifespan | Maximum 1 year |
IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
In summary, the spiny-backed orb-weaver spider stands as a testament to the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Image Credits: Live.staticflickr.com, Bio.pisceswebdesign.com, 4.bp.blogspot.com, Bio.pisceswebdesign.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com,
I.pinimg.com
Discover the spiny-backed orb-weaver, a fascinating spider from the orb-weaver family. Found mostly in the New World, these spiders are known for the unique, spine-like bumps on their back. In this post, we’ll share some cool facts about them!
The eggs after being laid on a silken sheet are wrapped in yellowish or white silken strands. They hatch within 13 days and have a pinkish-white coloration just before their first molt.
At the onset they appear bright and within 5 or 7 days become darker. The spiderlings usually emerge during the winter and disperse on their own in the following spring as they gain sexual maturity.
Female spiders make webs every night using silken strands, and then sit on it facing downwards waiting for their prey. The males hang from a single thread near the web to allure females.
Yes, spinybacked orbweaver spiders have venom, but it’s usually not harmful to humans and is used to subdue their prey.
Spinybacked orbweaver spiders can bite if threatened, but their bite is generally not dangerous to humans and might cause mild irritation.
The spiny-backed orb-weaver plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, primarily through its diet consisting of moths, whiteflies, beetles, and drosophilids. Their nocturnal web-spinning activities contribute to the control of insect populations in their habitats.
Natural Predators and Prey-Predator Dynamics: Birds and larger insects stand as natural predators to the spiny-backed orb-weaver. The spider’s survival hinges on its ability to expertly navigate these predator-prey dynamics, utilizing its web both as a tool for capturing prey and as a means of evasion from predators.
Relationship with Humans: Commonly found in shrubby gardens, woodland edges, and trees, the spiny-backed orb-weaver is a familiar sight to many. Despite its venomous nature, it poses little to no threat to humans, instead serving as a natural pest controller.
Other Names | Spinybacked orb weaver, star spider |
Distribution | United States, Cuba, Jamaica |
Habitat | Shrubby gardens, woodland edges, trees |
Diet | Moths, whiteflies, beetles, and drosophilids |
Web Type | Orb web |
Predator | Whiteflies, beetles, flies, moths |
Lifespan | Maximum 1 year |
IUCN Conservation Status | Not listed |
In summary, the spiny-backed orb-weaver spider stands as a testament to the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Image Credits: Live.staticflickr.com, Bio.pisceswebdesign.com, 4.bp.blogspot.com, Bio.pisceswebdesign.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com,
I.pinimg.com