Western Spotted Orbweaver
ExploreInsects
Western Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona oaxacensis
The Western Spotted Orbweaver is a colorful spider that spins beautiful webs. You can often find it in gardens and forests, where it catches bugs for dinner!
Habitat: Gardens and forests
Appearance
The Western Spotted Orbweaver has a plump, oval abdomen usually reddish-brown to gray, often adorned with a distinct, jagged leaf-like pattern. Its dark cephalothorax contrasts with the lighter markings on its back, making it stand out from plain-colored spiders.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilyAraneidaeGenusNeoscona
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Female Western Spotted Orbweavers are much bigger than males, sometimes double their size!
Instead of eyes, they often use tiny vibrations in their web to find dinner!
Some orbweavers eat their old webs every morning to recycle precious silk!
Their silk is stronger than steel of the same thickness, ounce for ounce!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Silk Spinner
Western Spotted Orbweaver can weave strong, intricate orb webs because of specialized silk glands that help them catch prey.
Ability
Master Disguiser
Western Spotted Orbweaver can subtly change its body color because of pigment cells, which helps them blend into their surroundings.
Ability
Night Hunter
Western Spotted Orbweaver can hunt effectively in the dark because of excellent vibration sensitivity that helps them detect prey.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 5-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 180-365 days
- Leg Count
- 8
Diet & Feeding
These expert web-builders primarily munch on flying insects caught in their intricate silk traps.
Primary Foods
- moths
- flies
- beetles
- crickets
- leafhoppers
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
Birds often snatch them from webs.
hunts
House Fly
Musca domestica
Traps flies in its sticky orb web.
hunts
Black Cutworm Moth
Agrotis ipsilon
Nocturnal moths are common web prey.
parasitizes
Ichneumonid Wasp
Zatypota albicoxa
Wasp larvae eat the spider.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Web Builder
This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to watch spiders from a distance and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Western Spotted Orbweaver?
5-20 mm
How long does Western Spotted Orbweaver live?
180-365 days
What does Western Spotted Orbweaver eat?
These expert web-builders primarily munch on flying insects caught in their intricate silk traps.
Where is Western Spotted Orbweaver usually found?
Gardens and forests
How does Western Spotted Orbweaver hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does Western Spotted Orbweaver have?
8
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
