Animal Profiles
Arachnids

Orb Weaver

Araneidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Orb-weavers build circular prey-catching webs. This account describes the cross orb-weaver (Araneus diadematus), focusing on populations reported in the cited North American account.

Araneus diadematus, the representative described in this account.

Araneus diadematus, the representative described in this account.

Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Cross orb-weavers need vegetation or other supports around an open space in which to suspend a web.
Habitat
Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Flying insects become caught in sticky capture threads.

Classification

Common name
Orb Weaver
Browse group
Arachnids
Scientific name or taxon
Araneidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Araneae
Family
Araneidae
Source classification
Arachnida

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Pale spots often form a cross.
  • A circular web catches insects.
  • Vibrations signal trapped prey.

Habitat and range

Cross orb-weavers need vegetation or other supports around an open space in which to suspend a web. Grassy areas, gardens and similar sheltered sites provide attachment points.

Appearance and adaptations

The rounded abdomen bears pale spots, often forming a crosslike pattern. Females are generally larger than males, and overall colour varies from light brown to very dark.

Diet and behaviour

Flying insects become caught in sticky capture threads. The spider detects their vibrations, approaches and wraps them. Eating an old web can recover material before a replacement is built.

Sources

Explore arachnids

Browse all arachnids