# Nordmann's Orbweaver (*araneus nordmanni*)

The Nordmann's Orbweaver spins beautiful, circular webs that can catch flying insects! These spiders are great at helping keep gardens healthy by controlling pest populations.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Typically found in gardens, forests, and meadows across Europe and Asia.
- **Also known as:** Nordmann's Spider

![Nordmann's Orbweaver](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Araneus_nordmanni.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Markku A. Huttunen, Copyrighted free use · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Araneus_nordmanni.jpg)

## Appearance

The Nordmann'S Orbweaver has a rounded, often leaf-shaped abdomen patterned with black, brown, and sometimes white or yellow markings. These intricate patterns help it blend seamlessly with bark or foliage, making it hard to spot among its environment.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Arachnida
- **Order:** Araneae
- **Family:** Araneidae
- **Genus:** Araneus

## Interesting facts

- Some orbweavers eat their old webs each morning to recycle the silk material.
- Spiders have eight eyes, but often see best through just two of them!
- Their silk is stronger than steel of the same weight, pound for pound!
- They can feel the slightest vibration in their web, sensing trapped prey instantly.

## Special abilities

- **Web Architect:** Nordmann'S Orbweaver can spin intricate, strong, and sticky orb webs that help them efficiently capture flying insect prey.
- **Stealthy Hunter:** Nordmann'S Orbweaver has camouflage patterns that help them hide against tree bark or leaves, ambushing unsuspecting insects.
- **Silk Master:** Nordmann'S Orbweaver can produce different types of silk, which helps them build webs, wrap prey, and even travel by 'ballooning'.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 6-15 mm
- **Lifespan:** 250-400 days
- **Leg Count:** 8

## Diet & Feeding

These spiders are insectivores, catching flying insects in their sticky orb webs.

- **Primary Foods:** flies, moths, mosquitoes, beetles, grasshoppers
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Common House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — captures in its sticky web
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — a common bird predator
- **Eaten by:** [Eastern Yellowjacket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-yellowjacket) (*Vespula maculifrons*) — wasps can prey on spiders

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always observe spiders from a distance and do not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Nordmann's Orbweaver?

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 big is Nordmann's Orbweaver?

6-15 mm

### How long does Nordmann's Orbweaver live?

250-400 days

### What does Nordmann's Orbweaver eat?

These spiders are insectivores, catching flying insects in their sticky orb webs.

### Where is Nordmann's Orbweaver usually found?

Typically found in gardens, forests, and meadows across Europe and Asia.

### How does Nordmann's Orbweaver hunt?

Ambush

### How many legs does Nordmann's Orbweaver have?

8

## Where to spot

- [Nisqually Entrance Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nisqually-entrance-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District
- [Parc de l'Amérique-Latine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-de-lam-rique-latine) — Quebec, CA · Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Nordmann's Orbweaver: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nordmanns-orbweaver)