The red-femured spotted orb weaver spider is a member of the family of orb weavers. Its species name domiciliorum translates to “of dwellings” in Latin, justifying its habitation – in and around buildings.
Size: Male: 0.8 cm (0.31 in) Female: 0.7 to 1.6 cm (0.28 to 0.63 in)
Color: The abdomen of these spiders is covered with bright yellowish-white markings on the dorsal side and four white spots on the reddish underside. The dorsal markings resemble a cruciform shape, combining black stripes on both sides with a white band near the front. Each leg of this spider has a red first segment, giving the spider its name, while the rest are black and gray.
Other Characteristic Features: Similar to other spiders in this genus, their abdomen has a groove. The females are covered in sparse short, gray hairs.
They lay their eggs inside a sac made of webbing.
Spiderlings stay inside the sac until winter ends, emerging during spring.
Webs are up to 50 cm in diameter, shaped like a wheel, with longer frame lines attached to shrubbery or the ground. There are only one or two threads inside the central circle. Female spiders build these webs at dusk, frequently replacing them before daybreak. However, the webs are not replaced by the female when she is preparing to lay eggs due to greater nutritional needs. This web is connected to a retreat made of leaves and silk where the spiders stay during the day.
The venom of these spiders is not very deadly, with their bite causing no severe harm to humans.
Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver
| Other names | Spotted orb weaver (name shared with Neoscona crucifera) |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year |
| Distribution | The United States, primarily Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas |
| Habitat | Woodland habitats, mainly those with hardwood trees |
| Diet | Insects |
Image Source: inaturalist.org, m.psecn.photoshelter.com
The red-femured spotted orb weaver spider is a member of the family of orb weavers. Its species name domiciliorum translates to “of dwellings” in Latin, justifying its habitation – in and around buildings.
Neoscona domiciliorum
Size: Male: 0.8 cm (0.31 in) Female: 0.7 to 1.6 cm (0.28 to 0.63 in)
Color: The abdomen of these spiders is covered with bright yellowish-white markings on the dorsal side and four white spots on the reddish underside. The dorsal markings resemble a cruciform shape, combining black stripes on both sides with a white band near the front. Each leg of this spider has a red first segment, giving the spider its name, while the rest are black and gray.
Other Characteristic Features: Similar to other spiders in this genus, their abdomen has a groove. The females are covered in sparse short, gray hairs.
They lay their eggs inside a sac made of webbing.
Spiderlings stay inside the sac until winter ends, emerging during spring.
Webs are up to 50 cm in diameter, shaped like a wheel, with longer frame lines attached to shrubbery or the ground. There are only one or two threads inside the central circle. Female spiders build these webs at dusk, frequently replacing them before daybreak. However, the webs are not replaced by the female when she is preparing to lay eggs due to greater nutritional needs. This web is connected to a retreat made of leaves and silk where the spiders stay during the day.
The venom of these spiders is not very deadly, with their bite causing no severe harm to humans.
Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver
| Other names | Spotted orb weaver (name shared with Neoscona crucifera) |
| Lifespan | Around 1 year |
| Distribution | The United States, primarily Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas |
| Habitat | Woodland habitats, mainly those with hardwood trees |
| Diet | Insects |
Image Source: inaturalist.org, m.psecn.photoshelter.com
