Golden Silk Orb-Weaver is a genus of spiders consisting of 23 different species, spread across different continents of the world. The silk of the web of this spider usually displays a golden sheen, which is visible to the naked eye, from which the genus gets its name. They are called in several other names, viz., Banana Spider, Golden Orb Weaver, Golden Orb-Weaving Spider, Calico Spider, and Golden Silk Spider.
Size: Females are considerably larger than the males, with the former being around 50 mm, and the latter, only around 8.
Body Color: The spiders belonging to this genus vary from reddish to greenish yellow in coloration, depending upon the species, with a distinct whiteness on the beginning of the abdomen, as also in the cephalothorax region.
Other Characteristic Features: These spiders build orb webs that are large and semi-permanent. The webs have ‘barrier network’ of threads on either or both sides of the web which act as a defense from predators. These spiders usually spend the entire day and night in their webs in order to gain protection from predators like birds.
The females of the golden silk orb-weaver species lay their eggs in clusters during the fall. They are usually laid by the side of a building or structure, or in the trees near to the place where the female has its web. Normally, it lays at least two large sacs each with a diameter of 25 to 30 mm, and containing a few hundred eggs.
Young spiders do not generally build yellow-colored silk. When approached by a predator, the young spiders can demonstrate the former’s vibrational motion. In such instances, the juveniles begin to oscillate their bodies at around 40 Hz. When attacked, they will either escape to a support strand in the web, or jump out of the web after inducing oscillations that helps in jumping.
The venom of the species belonging to the genus is fatal in action only to the prey. There have been no reports of it having any notable consequence on humans, if the spiders inflict a bite accidentally.
| Lifespan | The males die in 2-3 weeks after the final molt, while the females live for up to one month |
| Distribution/Range | Found mostly in the SE parts of the US, Florida, the Gulf States, the northern part of North Carolina, and in South America’s Argentina, as also, some parts of Australia, Africa, and Asia |
| Habitat | Tropical forests as well as close to human habitats and humanmade gardens |
| Common predators | Lizards, birds, some mammals, etc., depending upon their region |
| Diet | Carnivorous; several organisms ranging from small flies and beetles to larger cicadas, locusts, and even small birds, mammals, lizards, etc. |
Image Credit: Images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com, I.pinimg.com, Alpinetreepro.com, Bugguide.net, Lh3.ggpht.com
Golden Silk Orb-Weaver is a genus of spiders consisting of 23 different species, spread across different continents of the world. The silk of the web of this spider usually displays a golden sheen, which is visible to the naked eye, from which the genus gets its name. They are called in several other names, viz., Banana Spider, Golden Orb Weaver, Golden Orb-Weaving Spider, Calico Spider, and Golden Silk Spider.
Size: Females are considerably larger than the males, with the former being around 50 mm, and the latter, only around 8.
Body Color: The spiders belonging to this genus vary from reddish to greenish yellow in coloration, depending upon the species, with a distinct whiteness on the beginning of the abdomen, as also in the cephalothorax region.
Other Characteristic Features: These spiders build orb webs that are large and semi-permanent. The webs have ‘barrier network’ of threads on either or both sides of the web which act as a defense from predators. These spiders usually spend the entire day and night in their webs in order to gain protection from predators like birds.
The females of the golden silk orb-weaver species lay their eggs in clusters during the fall. They are usually laid by the side of a building or structure, or in the trees near to the place where the female has its web. Normally, it lays at least two large sacs each with a diameter of 25 to 30 mm, and containing a few hundred eggs.
Young spiders do not generally build yellow-colored silk. When approached by a predator, the young spiders can demonstrate the former’s vibrational motion. In such instances, the juveniles begin to oscillate their bodies at around 40 Hz. When attacked, they will either escape to a support strand in the web, or jump out of the web after inducing oscillations that helps in jumping.
The venom of the species belonging to the genus is fatal in action only to the prey. There have been no reports of it having any notable consequence on humans, if the spiders inflict a bite accidentally.
| Lifespan | The males die in 2-3 weeks after the final molt, while the females live for up to one month |
| Distribution/Range | Found mostly in the SE parts of the US, Florida, the Gulf States, the northern part of North Carolina, and in South America’s Argentina, as also, some parts of Australia, Africa, and Asia |
| Habitat | Tropical forests as well as close to human habitats and humanmade gardens |
| Common predators | Lizards, birds, some mammals, etc., depending upon their region |
| Diet | Carnivorous; several organisms ranging from small flies and beetles to larger cicadas, locusts, and even small birds, mammals, lizards, etc. |
Image Credit: Images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com, I.pinimg.com, Alpinetreepro.com, Bugguide.net, Lh3.ggpht.com
