Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta)

The orchard spider is a special kind of spider called an orb-weaver. It has a long jaw and is found in places like the United States, southern Canada, and parts of Central America. These spiders are pretty neat, and we’ve got some fun things to tell you about them right here!

Scientific Classification

• Family: Tetragnathidae
• Genus: Leucauge
• Scientific name: Leucauge venusta

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

• Size: Like most other orb-weaving spiders, the males are smaller in size than their female counterparts. The male spiders are 3.5mm to 4 mm long, while the females have a length of 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm.
• Color: Having a distinct and beautiful coloration, these spiders have a yellowish-green carapace with stripes of brown or black to the sides. The top of its downward-facing abdomen has a silvery color (more intense in males) with dark stripes while the stomach, facing upward can come in shades of red, blue, silver, green, and yellow. Its belly is also marked with a red, orange, or yellow crescent and the legs are of a leafy green hue.
• Other Characteristic Features: It has an elongated abdomen, while the legs are long and slender. Like most other spiders, they too have eight eyes arranged in a trapezoid manner.

Eggs

The egg sac made from white and orange silk contains hundreds of eggs and may be of a diameter of approximately 9 mm.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings that remain in the egg sac throughout winter hatch in the next spring. They are also capable of spinning their own webs from the juvenile stage.

The Web

Their webs are circular, positioned in a horizontal manner, with the spider hanging upside down at the center of it, waiting to capture its prey.

Are Orchard Orbweaver Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Orchard Orbweaver spiders have venom. They use it mostly to catch the tiny bugs they eat. It’s not very strong for humans.

Can Orchard Orbweaver Spiders Bite?

They can bite if they’re disturbed. The bite might feel like a tiny pinch, but it’s usually not a big deal for most people.

Quick Facts

Other names	Orchard spider, Venusta Orchard Spider
Lifespan	About a year (like most orbweaver spider species)
Distribution	Parts of Southern Canada to Central America
Habitat	Woodlands, low shrubby areas and small trees
Common predators	Large spiders, wasps and many other large-sized flying insects, small animals and birds
Diet	Small moths, flies, leaf insects, flying insects

Did You Know

• Leucauge in Greek means having a bright gleam, while Venusta in Latin translates to beautiful, which is apt for this spider because of its multi-colored pattern and attractive appearance.
• This species directly attained its nomenclature from Charles Darwin.
• The males are not killed by the females since they possess fangs with which they protect themselves from their partner during mating, hence having a longer life span.

Image Credits: Bugguide.net, 2.bp.blogspot.com, Thumbs-prod.si-cdn.com, Farm2.staticflickr.com, Objects.liquidweb.services, C1.staticflickr.com