Neoscona genus of the orb-weaver family has about 123 species as recorded in April 2019. These spiders have a wide and extensive range spreading to Asia, North America, Central America, and Africa.
Size: Female spiders have a length of 0.27 – 0.78 inches (0.7 – 1.98 cm) while the males are smaller, measuring 0.11 – 0.19 inches (0.3 – 0.5 cm)
Color: Most of them have a brown or rust body, while some could also appear gray.
Other Characteristic Features: Most species of this genus have interesting patterns on their abdomen, like wavy edges running through the mid-line. In some, the undersides of the abdomen have a dark portion bordered in white to form a square.
Around 1000 eggs are deposited safely in an egg sac.
During the initial instars, the spiderlings have a soft body texture that hardens eventually. Upon maturation, they start building webs and disperse to live independently.
They build spiral-shaped webs at dusk to catch their preys, but eats them up the next morning.
Spiders of this genus may bite if provoked or threatened, but their venom does no harm to humans.
| Distribution | Throughout the world |
| Habitat | Grasslands |
| Diet | Flies and other small insects |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year, but it may vary from one species to another |
Image Credits: idtools.org
Neoscona genus of the orb-weaver family has about 123 species as recorded in April 2019. These spiders have a wide and extensive range spreading to Asia, North America, Central America, and Africa.
Size: Female spiders have a length of 0.27 – 0.78 inches (0.7 – 1.98 cm) while the males are smaller, measuring 0.11 – 0.19 inches (0.3 – 0.5 cm)
Color: Most of them have a brown or rust body, while some could also appear gray.
Other Characteristic Features: Most species of this genus have interesting patterns on their abdomen, like wavy edges running through the mid-line. In some, the undersides of the abdomen have a dark portion bordered in white to form a square.
Around 1000 eggs are deposited safely in an egg sac.
During the initial instars, the spiderlings have a soft body texture that hardens eventually. Upon maturation, they start building webs and disperse to live independently.
They build spiral-shaped webs at dusk to catch their preys, but eats them up the next morning.
Spiders of this genus may bite if provoked or threatened, but their venom does no harm to humans.
| Distribution | Throughout the world |
| Habitat | Grasslands |
| Diet | Flies and other small insects |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year, but it may vary from one species to another |
Image Credits: idtools.org
