Home / Orb Weavers / Western Spotted Orbweaver Spider (Neoscona oaxacensis)

Western Spotted Orbweaver Spider (Neoscona oaxacensis)

The western spotted orb weaver spider is a member of the family of orb weaver spiders. It is found throughout the Americas and is similar in appearance to the Neoscona arabesca.

Western Spotted Orbweaver

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.6-1.3 cm (0.25–0.5 in) Female: 0.9-1.8 cm (0.35–0.7 in)

Color: There is a distinct black and white pattern on the dorsal side of their abdomen, with each spider having their own unique pattern.

Other Characteristic Features: Members of this species found in South America tend to have a more slender abdomen than those found in North America.

Eggs

Adults tend to lay eggs inside a sac made of webbing in autumn. The spiders overwinter in this stage, emerging during the spring.

Spiderlings

Juveniles remain inside the egg sac until they are mature enough to fend for themselves.

The Web

Similar to other orb weavers, their webs are circular. However, they lack the zigzag pattern in the center, which is seen in other members of their family.

Is the Western Spotted Orbweaver Spider Venomous

While these spiders may bite if they feel threatened, their venom is not potent enough to cause permanent harm to humans.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Quick Facts

Other names Zig-zag spider
Lifespan Around 1 year
Distribution In the United States, ranging from Kansas and California to Venezuela and Peru in South America, including the Galápagos Islands.
Habitat Open areas with sparse foliage
Diet Beetles, flies, lice, mites, moths, and other insects

Did You Know

  • Baltic German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1863.

Image Source: bugguide.net, inaturalist.org

The western spotted orb weaver spider is a member of the family of orb weaver spiders. It is found throughout the Americas and is similar in appearance to the Neoscona arabesca.

Western Spotted Orbweaver

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.6-1.3 cm (0.25–0.5 in) Female: 0.9-1.8 cm (0.35–0.7 in)

Color: There is a distinct black and white pattern on the dorsal side of their abdomen, with each spider having their own unique pattern.

Other Characteristic Features: Members of this species found in South America tend to have a more slender abdomen than those found in North America.

Eggs

Adults tend to lay eggs inside a sac made of webbing in autumn. The spiders overwinter in this stage, emerging during the spring.

Spiderlings

Juveniles remain inside the egg sac until they are mature enough to fend for themselves.

The Web

Similar to other orb weavers, their webs are circular. However, they lack the zigzag pattern in the center, which is seen in other members of their family.

Is the Western Spotted Orbweaver Spider Venomous

While these spiders may bite if they feel threatened, their venom is not potent enough to cause permanent harm to humans.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Quick Facts

Other names Zig-zag spider
Lifespan Around 1 year
Distribution In the United States, ranging from Kansas and California to Venezuela and Peru in South America, including the Galápagos Islands.
Habitat Open areas with sparse foliage
Diet Beetles, flies, lice, mites, moths, and other insects

Did You Know

  • Baltic German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1863.

Image Source: bugguide.net, inaturalist.org

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