Tropical Orbweaver
ExploreInvertebrate
Tropical Orbweaver
eriophora ravilla
The Tropical Orbweaver (Eriophora ravilla) is an engaging and highly adaptable nocturnal spider found throughout the warmer, humid regions of the Americas. Renowned for its impressive web-building skills, this species weaves massive, circular orb webs at dusk, which it uses to capture flying insects overnight. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Tropical Orbweaver is its extreme color and pattern polymorphism; individuals can look remarkably different from one another, ranging from bright greens and yellows to dull browns and grays, sometimes featuring a distinct white or yellow stripe down the abdomen. As dawn approaches, these industrious spiders typically consume their own webs to recycle the valuable proteins, retreating to hide under nearby leaves or bark during the day. This behavior makes them spectacular nocturnal subjects for nature enthusiasts. Encountering one in a garden or forest edge offers a wonderful glimpse into the intricate and efficient world of arachnid engineering.
Habitat: Typically found in warm, humid environments such as subtropical forests, citrus groves, gardens, and forest edges, where they can easily suspend webs between trees or shrubs.
Appearance
The Tropical Orbweaver is a medium-to-large spider characterized by a bulbous, slightly teardrop-shaped abdomen and a relatively flat, hairy cephalothorax. Due to high polymorphism, their coloration varies wildly: some are uniform pale green, while others are mottled gray, reddish-brown, or cream-colored, often with a prominent pale green or yellow patch or longitudinal stripe on the dorsum. Females are significantly larger than males, with a body length of 1.2 to 2.4 cm, while males rarely exceed 1.0 cm. Their legs are robust, typically covered in fine spines and alternating dark and light bands.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilyAraneidaeGenusEriophora
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
During the daytime, they tuck their legs tightly against their bodies while resting on a twig or leaf, perfectly mimicking a bud, leaf scar, or bird dropping.
The species exhibits extreme color polymorphism; two spiders born from the same egg sac can look like entirely different species.
They are known to consume their entire web every morning to recycle the silk proteins, leaving almost no trace of their presence during the day.
Special abilities
Ability
Web Recycling
The spider consumes its silk web every morning to conserve protein and moisture, rebuilding a fresh web at dusk.
Ability
Extreme Polymorphism
Individuals display highly variable color patterns, ranging from bright green to brown, helping them blend into different microhabitats.
Ability
Vibration Sensing
Highly sensitive slit sensilla on their legs detect minute vibrations in the web, allowing them to pinpoint trapped prey in complete darkness.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1+ cm
- Weight
- 0.0001+ kg
- Lifespan
- 1+ years
- Clutch Size
- 100+
- Incubation
- 20+ days
Diet & Feeding
A nocturnal predator that feeds on flying insects intercepted by its sticky, aerial orb web constructed at twilight.
Age differences: Juveniles eat smaller insects like fruit flies and gnats, while mature females tackle much larger beetles and moths.
Primary Foods
- Moths
- Mosquitoes
- Beetles
- Flies
- Cicadas
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Blue Mud Wasp
Chalybion californicum
The Blue Mud Wasp hunts and paralyzes Tropical Orbweavers to provision its mud nests with food for its developing larvae.
eaten by
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
The Green Anole actively hunts spiders, including the Tropical Orbweaver, when they are found resting in foliage during the day.
hunts
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Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda
The Tropical Orbweaver captures and consumes nocturnal moths like the Fall Armyworm Moth in its large sticky web.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Tropical Orbweaver?
The easiest way to identify Tropical Orbweaver is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Tropical Orbweaver?
1+ cm
How much does Tropical Orbweaver weigh?
0.0001+ kg
How long does Tropical Orbweaver live?
1+ years
What does Tropical Orbweaver eat?
A nocturnal predator that feeds on flying insects intercepted by its sticky, aerial orb web constructed at twilight.
Where is Tropical Orbweaver usually found?
Typically found in warm, humid environments such as subtropical forests, citrus groves, gardens, and forest edges, where they can easily suspend webs between trees or shrubs.
How does Tropical Orbweaver hunt?
Ambush
How many eggs does Tropical Orbweaver lay?
100+
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