Discover the world of the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver, a spider native to areas in the United States and Canada. Known for their impressive size, these spiders are fascinating creatures. Here, you’ll uncover interesting facts about them.
Size: Female spiders are 0.78 – 1.18 inches (2 – 3 cm) while males are around 0.39 inches (1 cm).
Color: Their abdomen has blotches of light green or reddish-brown. They also have blotchy green legs, with a reddish-orange base and a black band.
Other Characteristic Features: They have prominent humps on their abdomen.
Eggs
This species lays eggs in a silk sac that the female spider spins prior to the reproduction period.
Spiderlings
The spiderlings have a pale green body and mostly disperse from their kin in a few days after hatching.
The Web
The Giant lichen orb weaver makes orb-shaped spiral webs with a diameter of up to 8 feet. They do not stay in the middle of their web in an upside-down posture. Instead, these spiders sit at the edge, waiting for their prey.
Yes, Giant Lichen Orb Weaver Spiders are venomous, but their venom is generally not harmful to humans.
Can Giant Lichen Orb Weaver Spiders Bite?
Yes, they can bite if threatened, but their bites are usually not severe for humans and are rare.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of Giant Lichen Orb Weaver
The Giant Lichen Orb Weaver plays a vital role in controlling insect populations. Their predation helps keep a balance in the ecosystem, preventing overpopulation of their prey species.
Natural Predator: Birds and small mammals are among the natural predators of these spiders, which adds another layer to the intricate web of the food chain in forest ecosystems.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: By consuming insects and wasps, the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver helps to regulate the populations of these species, contributing to the health of their habitats.
Relationship with Humans: Humans rarely encounter these spiders as they are shy and prefer to keep to themselves in the forests. When encounters do happen, it’s important to remember that these spiders are not aggressive toward humans and bites are rare.
Quick Facts
Lifespan
1 year
Distribution
Southeastern Canada and the United States (eastern part)
Habitat
Forests
Diet
Insects and wasps
Did You Know
McCook, in 1888, described this species for the first time.
In wrapping up, the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver is a key forest predator with minimal human risk, contributing significantly to ecological balance.
A Giant Lichen Orb Weaver has a blotchy light green or reddish-brown abdomen with noticeable humps. Its legs are also blotchy green, featuring a reddish-orange base and a black band. Females of the species are significantly larger than the males, reaching up to 1.18 inches in length.
The web of a Giant Lichen Orb Weaver is an impressively large, orb-shaped spiral structure. These webs can achieve a diameter of up to 8 feet, making them one of the larger webs among orb-weaving spiders. The spider typically waits at the edge of this structure for prey.
Giant Lichen Orb Weaver spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. Although they possess venom, it is not medically significant for people. Bites are very rare and typically only occur if the spider is directly threatened, resulting in minor, localized symptoms that are not a cause for serious concern.
Female Giant Lichen Orb Weavers grow to a considerable size, with a body length ranging from 0.78 to 1.18 inches (2 to 3 cm). This makes them substantially larger than the males of the species, which typically only measure around 0.39 inches (1 cm) in length.
A Giant Lichen Orb Weaver waits for its prey at the edge of its web, not in the center. Unlike many other orb weavers that hang upside down in the middle of the spiral, this species positions itself on the periphery to better detect vibrations from ensnared insects.
The primary ecological role of the Giant Lichen Orb Weaver is controlling local insect populations. By preying on various insects and wasps, these spiders help maintain a natural balance within their forest ecosystem. They also serve as a food source for predators like birds and small mammals.
Yes, a Giant Lichen Orb Weaver can bite a person, but this is a very rare occurrence. A bite would typically only happen if the spider is provoked or feels trapped against the skin. The bite itself is not considered medically significant and usually results in only minor, localized irritation.
Dr. James Watuwa on June 24, 2020.
Spider Team
