Araneus guttulatus

(Walckenaer, 1841)

Red-backed Orbweaver

Araneus guttulatus is a of orb-weaving spider in the Araneidae, found in eastern North America. The species is characterized by distinctive coloration including green legs and with a reddish-brown bearing white markings. Like other members of the Araneus, it constructs circular orb webs to capture prey. The species was described by Walckenaer in 1841 and is one of numerous orb weaver species documented in the region.

Araneus guttulatus by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Araneus guttulatus 43318386 by skitterbug. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Araneus guttulatus, Julie Metz Wetlands, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Araneus guttulatus: //ˌærəˈniːəs ˌɡʌtjʊˈleɪtəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The combination of green legs and with a reddish-brown bearing white marks distinguishes this from many other Araneus species. The epigyne (female genital structure) and male provide definitive species-level identification, as is typical for spiders in this . The overall color pattern separates it from the highly variable Araneus marmoreus and the smaller Araneus pegnia.

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Appearance

Legs and are typically green. is often reddish-brown with white marks. As an orb weaver in the Araneus, the body plan follows the general Araneidae form with a rounded abdomen and eight arranged in two rows.

Distribution

Eastern United States (including Oklahoma) and Eastern Canada. Records include Vermont.

Ecological Role

As an orb-weaving spider, it functions as a of flying insects, contributing to .

Similar Taxa

  • Araneus marmoreusHighly variable coloration can include reddish tones, but lacks the consistent green legs and of A. guttulatus; abdominal pattern typically marbled rather than bearing distinct white marks on reddish-brown background
  • Araneus pegniaMuch smaller (females 3.5-8.2 mm) with -shaped abdominal pattern, not the reddish-brown with white marks of A. guttulatus
  • Araneus diadematusPale cross-shaped pattern on , typically lacking the green and reddish-brown abdominal coloration of A. guttulatus

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by Walckenaer in 1841; remains in the Araneus following revisions of the Araneidae

Observation data

451 observations recorded on iNaturalist as of data compilation, indicating moderate documentation of the

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Sources and further reading