Neoscona

Guides

• Neoscona oaxacensis

  Western Spotted Orbweaver, Zig-zag Spider

  Neoscona oaxacensis is a large orb-weaving spider distributed across the Americas from the United States to South America, including the Galápagos Islands. Females reach 9–18 mm in body length, males 6–13 mm. The species exhibits highly variable dorsal abdominal patterning, with a distinctive black-and-white pattern that aids identification. It constructs spiral orb webs to capture flying insects and is active primarily from late spring through autumn. The species was first described from Oaxaca, Mexico in 1863.

  Araneidaeorb-weaverNeosconaspiderarthropodpredatornocturnalvariable-colorationbeneficialwidespread-distributionNew-Worldsynonym:-Neoscona-cooksoni