Starbellied orb-weaver belongs to the Araneidae family found in parts of Mexico and Canada. One could most commonly spot it from late spring to early fall.
Size: The females are 0.27 – 0.59 inches (7 mm – 15 mm) long, males are slightly smaller, with a body length of 0.19 – 0.31 inches (5 – 8 mm)
Color: They have a brown body with the shades varying from light to dark.
Other Characteristic Features: The have ten to twelve points protruding from different parts of their abdomen resembling a star. Two of their eyes are also set on points.
Their eggs are small and round, enclosed safely in a sac, emerging in summer.
The spiderlings stay together for a while after hatching, eventually, they disperse to be on their own.
Like other orb-weaver spiders, these spiders too build wheel-shaped webs, spanning to about 6 – 10 inches (15.24 – 25.4 cm)
They may bite only if agitated, though their venom does not cause harm to humans.
| Other Names | Star-bellied orb-weaver, starbellied spider |
| Distribution | Southeastern Canada till Mexico |
| Habitat | Meadows and grasslands |
| Diet | Beetles, moths, flies, and wasps |
| Lifespan | Approximately 12 months |
Image Source: Spiderid.com, Live.staticflickr.com
Starbellied orb-weaver belongs to the Araneidae family found in parts of Mexico and Canada. One could most commonly spot it from late spring to early fall.
Size: The females are 0.27 – 0.59 inches (7 mm – 15 mm) long, males are slightly smaller, with a body length of 0.19 – 0.31 inches (5 – 8 mm)
Color: They have a brown body with the shades varying from light to dark.
Other Characteristic Features: The have ten to twelve points protruding from different parts of their abdomen resembling a star. Two of their eyes are also set on points.
Their eggs are small and round, enclosed safely in a sac, emerging in summer.
The spiderlings stay together for a while after hatching, eventually, they disperse to be on their own.
Like other orb-weaver spiders, these spiders too build wheel-shaped webs, spanning to about 6 – 10 inches (15.24 – 25.4 cm)
They may bite only if agitated, though their venom does not cause harm to humans.
| Other Names | Star-bellied orb-weaver, starbellied spider |
| Distribution | Southeastern Canada till Mexico |
| Habitat | Meadows and grasslands |
| Diet | Beetles, moths, flies, and wasps |
| Lifespan | Approximately 12 months |
Image Source: Spiderid.com, Live.staticflickr.com
