# Larinioides Cornutus The Furrow Orbweaver, scientifically known as Larinioides cornutus, is a captivating and highly adaptable nocturnal spider commonly spotted near aquatic environments. This industrious arachnid is beloved by nature enthusiasts for its intricate web-weaving skills and its remarkable ability to coexist alongside human structures. During the day, they remain safely tucked away in silken retreats, only to emerge at dusk to construct or repair their large, geometrically perfect wheel-shaped webs. Because they are highly attracted to artificial lights that draw in insects, they frequently establish themselves near outdoor lamps, bridges, and docks. They play an essential role in regulating local flying insect populations, making them a beneficial neighbor in urban and natural wetlands alike. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Commonly found in moist areas near water sources, such as lakes, rivers, and marshes, where they construct webs on reeds, tall grasses, docks, and bridge railings. - **Also known as:** Furrow Orbweaver ![Larinioides Cornutus](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/4996287/medium.jpg) Photo: Jesse Rorabaugh, CC0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/4996287) ## Appearance Larinioides cornutus is characterized by its bulbous, oval-shaped abdomen, which displays a distinctive wavy pattern known as a folium. This pattern is typically outlined in dark brown or black against a lighter grey, tan, or reddish-brown background, resembling deep furrows. Their legs are stout, translucent, and conspicuously banded with alternating rings of dark brown and light grey or yellow. Females are noticeably larger, measuring between 6 to 14 millimeters in body length, while the more slender males generally range from 5 to 9 millimeters. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Araneidae - **Genus:** Larinioides ## Interesting facts - During the day, they hide in a silk retreat which they camouflage with plant debris or tuck into structural crevices to avoid visual predators like birds. - The species name 'cornutus' is Latin for 'horned', which refers to the distinct lobe-like shapes on the anterior portion of the spider's abdomen. - They build a brand new web almost every single day, usually taking less than an hour to complete the entire structure. ## Special abilities - **Silk Recycling:** To conserve energy, this spider frequently eats its own old web at the end of the night to recycle the complex proteins and amino acids for spinning a new web. - **High-Tensile Anchoring:** Utilizes specialized, extra-strong bridge lines to anchor webs across large gaps over water, withstanding strong winds and rain. - **Overwintering Antifreeze:** Produces cryoprotective compounds (polyols and proteins) in its hemolymph, allowing it to survive sub-zero temperatures during winter. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 0+ cm - **Weight:** 0+ kg - **Lifespan:** 1+ years - **Clutch Size:** 100+ - **Incubation:** 14+ days ## Diet & Feeding Mainly feeds on nocturnal flying insects that emerge from or live near water bodies, catching them in vertical orb webs. - **Age differences:** Spiderlings eat tiny insects like gnats and fruit flies, whereas mature adults target larger aquatic flies and moths. - **Primary Foods:** Midges, Mosquitoes, Mayflies, Moths, Caddisflies - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Chironomid Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Preys heavily on this insect when it emerges in large swarms over lakes and slow-moving rivers. - **Eaten by:** Blue Mud Dauber (*Chalybion californicum*) — Frequently hunted by this predatory wasp to paralyze and use as food for its developing larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Forages on shrubs and structures near water, opportunistically feeding on orbweavers. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Larinioides Cornutus? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Larinioides Cornutus? 0+ cm ### How much does Larinioides Cornutus weigh? 0+ kg ### How long does Larinioides Cornutus live? 1+ years ### What does Larinioides Cornutus eat? Mainly feeds on nocturnal flying insects that emerge from or live near water bodies, catching them in vertical orb webs. ### Where is Larinioides Cornutus usually found? Commonly found in moist areas near water sources, such as lakes, rivers, and marshes, where they construct webs on reeds, tall grasses, docks, and bridge railings. ### How does Larinioides Cornutus hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Larinioides Cornutus lay? 100+ ## Where to spot - [Hudson Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hudson-falls-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site - [Rockywold-Deephaven Camps](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rockywold-deephaven-camps) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Salem Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salem-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Larinioides Cornutus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/larinioides-cornutus) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Larinioides Cornutus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/larinioides-cornutus)