Orbweaver
Guides
Acanthepeira marion
Acanthepeira marion is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, first described by Levi in 1976. The species is distributed across the United States and Mexico. As a member of the genus Acanthepeira, it shares the distinctive spiny abdominal tubercles characteristic of this group of orbweavers.
Acanthepeira stellata
starbellied orbweaver, starbellied spider
Acanthepeira stellata is a distinctive orb-weaving spider known for its hard, spiked abdomen covered in prominent tubercles that give it a star-like appearance. The species ranges from Canada to Mexico and is commonly found in grasslands, prairies, meadows, and agricultural areas. It is nocturnal, constructing vertical orb webs close to the ground to capture prey. The spider exhibits effective crypsis, resembling plant debris such as burs or seed pods when at rest.
Aculepeira packardi
Northern Orbweaver
Aculepeira packardi is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Northern Orbweaver. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution spanning North America and Eurasia. It constructs characteristic spiral wheel-shaped webs to capture prey. The species was first described by Thorell in 1875 under the basionym Epeira packardii.
Araneus pegnia
Butterfly Orbweaver
Araneus pegnia is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Butterfly Orbweaver due to the distinctive butterfly-shaped pattern on its abdomen. It is among the smaller members of the genus Araneus, with mature females reaching only 3.5–8.2 mm and males 2.5–5 mm. The species has an unusually broad geographic range, extending from the northeastern United States through the southeastern states, west to Arizona and California, and south through Middle America to Ecuador. It is also found on Caribbean islands including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Cuba.
Araneus yukon
Yukon Orbweaver
Araneus yukon is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It was described by Herbert W. Levi in 1971. The species is known from boreal and subarctic regions of Russia and Canada, reflecting its tolerance for cold climates. Like other members of the genus Araneus, it constructs spiral orb webs to capture flying insect prey. The specific epithet 'yukon' refers to the Yukon region of northwestern Canada, indicating the type locality or a significant portion of its known range.
Leucauge licina
Dominican Spider
Leucauge licina is a species of long-jawed orbweaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is known from Caribbean islands including Cuba and Jamaica, with most records from the Dominican Republic. Like other members of the genus Leucauge, it constructs horizontal orb webs and displays distinctive coloration with silvery or pearly markings. The species is part of a genus containing over 200 species worldwide, with only two species (L. venusta and L. argyra) documented in North America north of Mexico.
Leucauge venusta
Orchard Orbweaver, Orchard Spider
Leucauge venusta, commonly known as the orchard orbweaver, is a small, colorful spider in the family Tetragnathidae. It is one of the most common and visually distinctive spiders in eastern North America, recognized by its silvery-white body, green legs, and variable red or orange abdominal markings. The species builds horizontal orb webs in woodland habitats and is active primarily in late spring and early summer. Despite its common name, it is not particularly associated with orchards, preferring forest edges and shrubby vegetation.
Mangora gibberosa
lined orbweaver
Mangora gibberosa is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, native to North America. It is commonly misidentified as Cyclosa turbinata due to similar appearance and web architecture. The species is part of a genus of small to medium-sized orbweavers known for their often distinctive abdominal markings and vertical orb webs.
Mangora placida
Tuft-legged Orbweaver
Mangora placida is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Tuft-legged Orbweaver. It is found across North America, with records from Canada through the United States. The species is notable for the tufted projections on its legs, a distinctive feature referenced in its common name. Juveniles and adults build vertical orb webs to capture flying insects.
Meta ovalis
Cave Orbweaver, Eastern Cave Long-jawed Spider
Meta ovalis is a long-jawed orb weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae, commonly known as the cave orbweaver. Unlike most other tetragnathids, it lacks the exaggerated jaws, elongated body, and long legs typical of the family, and it spins a vertical orb web rather than the horizontal webs of its relatives. It is a troglophile species found in cave entrances, abandoned mines, old wells, basements, and densely shaded ravines across eastern North America, ranging from southeast Canada to Georgia and west to the Mississippi River.
Micrathena funebris
Micrathena funebris is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, distributed from the United States through Central America to Costa Rica. As a member of the spiny orbweaver genus Micrathena, it shares the characteristic armored abdomen with spines or projections typical of this tropical and subtropical group. The species was originally described as Acrosoma funebre by Marx in 1898.
Micrathena sagittata
Arrow-shaped Micrathena, Arrow-shaped Orbweaver
Micrathena sagittata is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, recognized by its distinctive arrow-shaped abdomen with prominent spines. Females reach 8-9 mm in body length, while smaller males lack spines entirely. The species constructs circular webs approximately 30 cm in diameter in forest understory vegetation, where it captures flying and jumping insects. It occurs across the eastern United States and Central America, with peak activity from July through September.
Neoscona domiciliorum
Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver, Spotted Orbweaver, Redfemured Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona domiciliorum is a medium-sized orbweaver spider endemic to the eastern and southeastern United States. The species name 'domiciliorum' (Latin for 'of dwellings') reflects its frequent occurrence on buildings, though it also inhabits moist woodlands. Females construct large vertical orb webs up to 50 cm in diameter, typically building at dusk and dismantling before dawn. The spider is recognized by distinctive coloration including red femora on the legs and a pale cruciform pattern on the abdomen.
Phonognathidae
Leaf-curling Orbweavers
Phonognathidae is a family of orb-weaving spiders resurrected at family rank in 2018 based on phylogenomic analysis. The family was originally described by Simon in 1894 but had been treated as a synonym of Araneidae. It is now classified within the clade Orbipurae alongside Araneidae and Nephilidae. Members are commonly known as leaf-curling orbweavers and are distinguished by their habit of constructing retreats within curled leaves.
Singa eugeni
Eugen's Orbweaver
Singa eugeni is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It was described by Levi in 1972. The species is known from the United States, where it has been documented through iNaturalist observations. As a member of the genus Singa, it belongs to a group of small orbweavers. Specific details about its biology, habitat preferences, and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.