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ORB
WEAVERS/GARDEN SPIDERS |
 Orb weavers (Araneidae) are
often brightly coloured with
rounded abdomens, some with
peculiarly angled humps or
spines. However, there is
considerable variation in size,
colour and shape in this group.
They are often recognized for
building beautiful, large, round
webs, on which they rest, head
downward, waiting for prey.
The webs consist of a number
of radiating threads crossed by
two spirals. The inner spiral
begins in the centre, winds
outward, and is made of smooth
threads like the radiating
threads. It covers only the
central 1/3 of the web. The outer spiral begins at the edges
and winds inward. It is made of more elastic, sticky threads, coated with a liquid substance.
One of the largest and most commonly encountered members of this group is Argiope aurantia, the yellow garden spider
and we have photos of them on their own page.
Please select a section below.
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ORB WEAVERS |
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4
November, 2004:
HEY THERE! I LOVE YOUR SITE! I’m Josh and I live on
the mainland of Venice Italy. I found this little guy on a HUGE
beautiful web by the trashcan. |
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18
October, 2004:
Hi! I found a spider that I have never seen before
and I need some help identifying it. I live in Middleton, Idaho, a
rural area outside of Boise, ID. We found this spider on our wooden
fence this morning. It has a large hard orange body with two points
and long hairy legs. On the underside is a black irregular patch. I
have attached some photos and hope you can help me identify this
spider.
Thanks, Skeeter from Idaho |
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18
October, 2004:
I've spotted this spider in
my yard, can you help me to identify it. I live in Denver Colorado.
I remember seeing something like it in past falls. |
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16
October, 2004:
Hi! Isn't that a real beauty? found that huge lady yesterday in my
garage ... I guess it's an araneus diadematus. they are very
common here in Germany, even tough I've never seen one with
such a great colourisation. .. by the way, your spider page rocks :)
greats philipp |
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16
October, 2004:
Can you please help me
figure out what kind of spider this is? I have been looking all over
the internet to no avail.
Thanks
Myka McPeek
Office Manager
Maaco of Orange |
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15
October, 2004:
Hi Glen:
This is a great service that you provide - thanks. I found this
spider at my home in York, Maine, and I've always been curious what
kind it is and how long it lives, etc. Thanks for any info you can
provide.
Ron Winsor |
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10
October, 2004:
Hi glen, thought you
might like this photo for your site (great site!). i found this poor
girl(?) in an electrical panel box in manitoba, canada, i think she
was quite old, moving really slow, and pooping out some black goo. a
bit larger than a quarter i'd say, and very beautiful despite the
death's-head on her abdomen. maybe somebody could identify her?
garett beatty |
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8
October, 2004:
Is this a common spider? Why is his back so big. I live in
Edmonton ,Canada. I saw him tonight on the wall, could his bite be
bad?
Doris
Reply: This is some sort of an orb
weaver and generally their bites are not dangerous. However anyone
can have a bad reaction to a spider bite so best to be careful. It
may be getting ready to lay an egg sac but this sort of orb weaver
usually has a large round back. |
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1
October, 2004:
Hello, I found your site
about a month ago, when my 7 year old wanted to know about a Brown
Recluse...Since then, I have come back numerous times to identify my
"yard" spiders. this one I am sending you I have seen a few times
here and there, and I must admit...it does creep me out quite a bit,
because of it's size...but I identified it from your site: Garden
Orb Weaver - Araneus diadematus. Is this correct? And are these
dangerous spiders?? Thanks so much
and Keep up the great work on your site
The Bryans, Massachusetts |
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Reply: It's one
of the orb weaver family.
26 September, 2004:
HI, I just find this spider
in my front window, and i am wondering what kind it is? This
spider actually measure one inch by and half maybe. Thanks in
advance |
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Reply: It's an
orb weaver.
25 September, 2004:
Can you tell me what kind of
spider Charlotte is? I live in N. Ida with lots of timber, she lives
in the eave of my house and lives on wasps and yellow jackets.
Thanks Debbi |
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Reply: It's an orb weaver.
25 September, 2004:
My husband and I are anxious
to identify this guy. We call him Bob. He lives on our back porch
and does a great job catching flies and today he was eating a bee.
He has a gorgeous web and it's really strong. I've bumped it a
few times and it never rips or
breaks. if you could give us some idea, the pics aren't the
greatest, but I'm hoping they are clear enough to give you some kind
of idea what he is. We live in the upstate NY area. Thanks! Melissa
and Ken |
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GARDEN ORB WEAVERS
(Araneus diadematus) |
28 January, 2005:
Hi, I am from South Africa and have found your site whilst
trying to identify the following spider. It is about an Inch across,
and spin's a Web outside our House Windows Every evening. In the
Morning it is gone, web and all. My wife is a bit paranoid about it,
because of the orange mark on it's belly. Eagerly awaiting reply
Kindest Regards
Beste Groete
Carel Smith
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3 January, 2005:
I quite like your web site on spiders, and find it very
useful. I've attached a photo of a friendly visitor to my
yard, that i
thought you might like. It's body is about an inch or so long,
it had a very large
web (about 8 feet across), was not aggressive, and seemed a fairly
calm
and mellow sort of creature. I have no idea what sort of spider it
may be, but it certainly is pretty :) I am located in Houston,
Texas, USA.
Christine |
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3 January, 2005:
This shot was taken near midnight in the tree near where I
park my car.
Ellen |
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12 November, 2004:
I live in Toronto Ontario Canada and I have these two
spiders living outside my backdoor. Its December 1st 2004 and they
are still alive and active. Is this normal? What kind of spider are
they and are they poisonous? |
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12 November, 2004:
Garden Orb Weaver
Rogers, Arkansas
Craig RIchardson |
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1 November, 2004:
Thanks for replying! Here's the attachment again. It's called
spidey5.jpg, at about 600k. If it doesn't arrive, c'est la vie. Any
idea if I could put this guy in a terrarium or something? What would
I feed him? I believe he's a Garden Orb Weaver.
Thanks!!!
Brian |
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1 November, 2004:
Hello, can you help me identify this spider? As you can see,
I caught it in the middle of having lunch! |
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1 November, 2004:
Found this spider on the outside of the house
on her egg sack could you help us ID. this spider. we live in peoria
IL.
thank you
charles nelson
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27
October, 2004:
Hi, Your website is
awesome. I just thought if you wanted to add any of these pictures
of a spider I found in my backyard you can. I've notice just a few
others that you have posted that looks exactly like this spider. I'm
assuming it falls under the garden orb weaver type. Thanks
again for the awesome website, RB, New Mexico
Click for a larger view. |
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27
October, 2004:
Hi Glen, I was trying
to identify this spider, and stumbled upon your website. Would you
happen to know what type of spider this might be? I live in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada.
Thanks, Gilles Levesque
Click for a larger view. |
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16
October, 2004:
Hello Glen i saw your page
of spider photos sent in by people. So here is one i found in
my front yard.I lvie in Pittsburgh, PA area and I have no clue
what it is. I attatched the picture. Please help me I have no clue
if its poisonous or what. Thanks,
Ethan MacManus |
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15 October, 2004:
I'm sending you my best spider pics from the last couple months.
Thought you might like to have them for your image library, maybe
display a couple in the "known" spider pages. I'm getting better at
capturing close-ups. One of these days I'll get a real good shot of
that Jumper. Until then... Keep up the good work, I love your site!
Cheers, Terry Lucas
Lakewood, Ca.
Click photo for some lovely close ups. |
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15
October, 2004:
Hello,
My name Is John Szewczyk from Long Island, New York. I was wondering
if you
would be able to help me identify this spider, a resident in my back
yard.
Regards,
John Szewczyk.
Click photo for close ups. |
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8
October, 2004:
I have thoroughly looked
through your website but I have not been able to find this little
visitor that lives in my window. He is noctural and during the day
he hides in the groves of the window. His body (not including the
legs) is 0.5 inch. I took a picture of his back and belly. He is in
a web. This spider is living in outside Birmingham, Alabama USA
(northern Alabama). Do you know what he is or if he is dangerous?
Thanks! Tiffany Boscan
Reply:
This is a garden orb weaver. |
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7
October, 2004:
Can anyone help me identify
this guy? He built a large - 2' web between the porch post and a
large bush. I am in northwest Georgia.
Thanks, Sue
Reply:
This is a garden orb weaver. |
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5
October, 2004:
This is an enormous spider I
found in the courtyard of my building. I discovered it sucking down
a fly. Judging from other photos on your page, it is a Garden Orb
Weaver. Is that correct? How long do they stay in one place?
Reply:
This is correct. They usually stay in the one
spot for their life span which is only about one season. |
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1
October, 2004:
Glen,
Thanks for all of the spider info... Maybe you can help me with this
little guy. I found him this weekend on my friends garbage can in
Irvington, NY. Is he something to be careful of? Any help would be
appreciated.
Thanks,
Andrew Joos
Reply: Looks like a male garden orb
weaver. Click for a larger photo. |
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30
September, 2004:
Hi, I live in Lower
Sackville, Canada. We had not gone in our back yard for about
a month and spiders (about 30-50 or so) have infested the entire
space. A friend came and killed most of them for me ( I was too
scared) and I took some pictures of this one which was sprayed
and about to die. It was
the size of a toonie. Can anyone let me know what kind of spider it
is and if it is at all dangerous. laura_mullins@hotmail.com
september 29th, 2004
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29 September, 2004:
I have no idea what kind of
spider this is. I have searched every website I can find. I have
found several of them around my house and am not sure if they are
poisonous or not. This spider is about the size of a quarter but, I
have seen them both smaller and larger. The webs tend to be
enormous. Sometimes they go all the way across the driveway (but the
main part of the web is usually 4 - 5 feet across). The body is
yellow/black and the legs are black/white/orange. Please help! J
Steph
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29 September, 2004:
Could you help me identify what type of spider this guy is?
He's been in the
same spot for two days now. I can't tell if he is dead or alive. I'd
like to move him but would first like to know what he is.
Thanks,
Robin (DuBois, Pennsylvania)or
the HELP! Kristin Murphy |
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28 September, 2004:
Hi, Thank you for your site. I have searched it over for the
spider I am searching but have had no luck. I live in Philadelphia,
PA and have recently noticed these spiders multiplying on the
outside of my home. I first noticed one on my tomato plant and
removed it and now I have several new ones. Can you identify this
spider and is it of concern.
I have a toddler who is fascinated by the "itsy bitsy spider" and I
don't want
her to become afraid of a spider if there is no need. Thank you for
the HELP! Kristin Murphy |
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28 September, 2004:
Hi. I found this spider in my garage this morning. It is
about the size of a quarter. Can you identify it? Thanks. |
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27 September, 2004:
hello, i have just recently found about a dozen of these
enormous spiders all over
the outside of my house (suburban boston). are these garden orb
weavers? they all look so different... but i imagine they are the
same kind... i guess they are harmless from what i have been
reading, if big! I was just
curious, are there any particular reasons for the apparent
population explosion? (as we have never seen anything like this
around our house and they are everywhere now!)
theres another one too ...i think it must be a male? thanks
deirdre
ps. your site is neat!
Reply: Yes these
are garden orb weavers. |
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27 September, 2004:
Hello, Thanks for the
terrific website. I was trying to identify a spider that had built a
web last night on a door to our garage in Charlotte, NC. It is an
orb weaving spider of some type. I've included a picture of the web
(sans spider), and a fairly good closeup of the spider itself
(attached to this email).
I tried to go to the other side of the web to take another picture
of the spieder (ducked under it to go outside), but the spider got
shy. The body of the spider appears to be fairly hairy. Can someone
please identify this spider for me? Thanks, John Strebler |
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27 September, 2004:
Hi there! Your site is very interesting and clearly you are
very knowledgeable about these spiders all over the world. I was
hoping that you could identify one these that I have found in my
backyard. I live on the coast of Massachusetts, USA and these little
buggers are popping up all over the place. ( 4 to be exact ) This
one seems to be the largest yet. It is about the size of a quarter
and spins an orbital web. Are they dangerous? Should I move them to
some other location away from my family and dog? Your help is
much appreciated! Regards, Stef |
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26 September, 2004:
Hey, here's a picture of an Orb Weaver living outside my
window. I'm curious
how long these things live?
-Greg
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23 September, 2004:
I have no idea what this
thing is. Let me know, I live in St Louis, Mo. If it is venomous I
might have to relocate it further from the house. Any larger and I
will just put a leash on it and take it for a walk.
Reply: It's a
garden orb weaver. Nice pics. |
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20 September, 2004:
Here are 2 photos taken on
the evening of September 18, 2004 (with flash) of a "garden
spider" while spinning her web for the night. One photo shows
the hairs on her thorax and legs. Any idea what type she
is?
Reply: It's a
garden orb weaver. |
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20 September, 2004:
Here's a nice picture of an Orb Spider we found on the deck
of the house (Tyler, Texas). Help us identify what kind of orb
spider we found.
Regards,
Ashley Jovanovich
Reply: It's a
garden orb weaver. |
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19 September, 2004:
This spider makes a huge web between my house and a tree. He
also survived the 70mph winds we had from Ivan this week. Is he/she
just a Garden Spider?
Doug
Birmingham, AL
Reply: It's a
garden orb weaver. |
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16 September, 2004:
G'day from the states!
I've snapped these pics from my back porch in central Massachuestts,
USA. The clever little fella made a web near the back light so when
all the moths circle the light they just fly right into his web.
Talk about fast food! Photos are of a fresh victim. I don't know if
he's going to spin the moth for later or eat its brains now. I'd say
the guy/gal is about 3/4 inch or 2 cm. Not very imposing but its got
a big scary abdomen. This maneater looks a lot like the 3rd pic from
the left in your banner. Might they be the same and if so, should I
be running away? :-) |
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14 September, 2004:
Hello
Great web site. I live in Bear,DE and i found two different spiers
and i have no idea what kind they are or even if they are poison
spiders.Can you help?
Ron in Bear,DE |
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10 September, 2004:
Hi Glenda, Your web is awesome!!!
…I, unintentionally, brought this spider home on my shirt, when I
came back from the back yard. It was scary to see it on me. Its ~ 1
inch when it stretches its legs. We searched your site and it looks
like garden web weaver or orb weaver ? My mom hopes it’s a female
w/eggs (can anyone tell?) She created a habitat for that spider and
added big garden leaves + a few drops of water.
It seems like the spider feels very comfy in this temp habitat. It
immediately used the water for either drinking or weaving.
We’ll post more photos if something hatches. thanks, Allon (me, the
brave one)
My friends Mel and Oren (who were scared as much as I was to see it
crawling on me
and cracked laughing when I jumped all over the place to get rid of
it) (San Diego CA 8/2004)
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10 September, 2004:
Good morning! It was a rare morning for me yesterday seeing
this beautiful 2-foot diameter web gleaming in the morning sun as I
began the drive to work... and went back home for the camera! This
1-1/4" long spider (can someone identify?) had anchored her web at
the corner house of a 4-way stop in my Sacramento, California
neighborhood. The macro on my digital camera did a great job
capturing close-up detail and the spider cooperated nicely (if she'd
jumped with the lens and my hand only inches away I'd have probably
dropped the camera!) The web and it's builder were still there this
morning with only a few more minor snags in the silk fabric. |
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8 September, 2004:
Hello. We found this little beauty under the back eaves in
San Ramon, CA. The kids think she is very pretty. I presume
this to be Araneus diadematus, since there is one in nearby
Hayward identified on your site. She was cooperative enough to pose
for
this picture, so I thought I'd share it with you. She is
approximately 2" across. |
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8 September, 2004:
Dear Glen,
We recently walked out of our home into the garage where we found
this spider along with about 3 others the same shape and color. I've
noticed that they come around this time of year every year and I
have always just let them be. Now it seems that they are trying to
take over our home. We found 3 in the garage, one made it's home in
our back door, and one made it's home in the front window of our
home. The biggest web that we have seen is one that is absolutely
amazing. It is attached to our home on a corner and it is connected
to a tree in our yard. The guy likes being really high I guess and
he likes a big home. The web is around 10ft x 10ft. The webs are
absolutley huge ! Our doors in the back our double glass doors so
it's t least 5-6 foot wide and as tall as the doors. If you could
just help me identify what type of spider it is so I don't have to
be worried for safety sake I would greatly appreciate it. I know
these pictures aren't that great but maybe you can see it well
enough to tell me. |
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7
September, 2004
This is a spider we found in our front yard in Lodi
California (just below Sacramento). we think it is just a normal
garden spider and aren't worried to much about it. We would really
like to know what it is, its about 35 mm long and has fairly smooth
skin. It doesn't look like it has hair from what we've seen. The
pictures we are sending you are of its underside if you need more
detailed photos just write back.
Thanks, Anthony |
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7
September, 2004
Saw several of these spiders in southern Vermont in early
September. They are probably and inch and a half in diameter. What
made them interesting was the "smile" on the abdomen. Any idea
what kind it is? |
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7
September, 2004
HI,
I live in Anchorage, Alaska and took this photo (see attached) of a
spider hanging around our house. Can you tell me what type of spider
it is?
Thanks
Donna
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5
September, 2004
Can you tell me what kind of spider this is? I'm near
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in Canada, and they like to hang out on the
outside of my house in late August...
They almost look like pebbles with legs and have 2 horn-like things
on their backs...
Marit Chorney
Reply: This is a garden orb weaver.
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5
September, 2004
Here are some North Carolina spiders that have appear red
around my home this fall.. |
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5
September, 2004
I don't like to kill spiders, so I got some pics as best I
could without hurting it, this one kept playing dead! I thought
maybe it was an Orb web spider or Garden type. I found it in my
hair! It was on the deck I was sealing and dropped onto my hair it
startled me but I let it crawl off and onto the deck I put a plastic
bottle over it because I saw the mark on the underside thought it
was interesting so I pic'd it! I live in Michigan and my deck has
clemetis vines all over it I guess she figured it would make a good
home! It's not a great pic but useful for the marks, feel free to
use them. And by the way very useful site. Christine |
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3
September, 2004
Glen,
This one has set up house right outside our kitchen window. About
the size of a dime. Obviously an orb spider. From other pictures,
I'd say it's a European Garden Spider. Can you verify? The pictures
are from both sides.
Thanks for the web site!
Michael Chin,
New Jersey,
United States
Reply: This is a garden orb
weaver. |
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3
September, 2004
I live in Johnstown, Colorado and I just took these pictures
on my front porch. I know you're busy, but if you could tell me what
kind of spiders the red one and the skinny dark ones are, I'd really
appreciate it. I already know of the Orb Weaver... just thought you
might like the pictures. Thanks!
- Jazzmin |
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3
September, 2004
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS SPIDER IS DANGEROUS AROUND
CHILDREN
THANK YOU
Reply: This is a garden orb
weaver and not dangerous. |
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2 September, 2004
Hello, My name is Tammy and I live in Lethbridge, Alberta
Canada. We have had
this beauty living in the outside mirror of my car since the
beginning of June this year. She has been a delight to watch
but what kind of spider is she. She must really like her spot
because she has been all over town with me, Wal-Mart, Safeway,
Banking, etc. When I get back she re-attaches her web to
the ground and continues to reside in my mirror. With winter coming,
we are a little concerned about her welfare and we
were wondering if it is possible to keep her inside with us until
spring returns. How would we care for her and do you think she
would be OK with this? I hope you do not think we are being
too silly. I have never really appreciated the actual beauty of
spiders before so this is all new to me.
I sure hope you can help us out with these few inquires. Blessings
Love & Light
Tammy |
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2 September, 2004
Hi i just saw this spider in my back yard and i would like to
know any information you have, if you dont have any info, maybe you
can do something better with this picture.
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2 September, 2004
Hi! My husband and I found this spider on our porch tonight.
His web was gigantic! Approx. 5 feet by 5 feet. The entire body of
the spider legs and all is larger than a half dollar. There have
been two others on your site that are identical…mainly the one on 21
September, 2003:from Gaithersburg MD. That town is very close to my
own so it’s no doubt it’s the same spider. Here are some pictures to
share. I would love to find out what this thing is. Thanks!
Laura & Crow Witchel
Silver Spring, MD |
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2 September, 2004
I found reading your spider site to be very informative and
entertaining. Thought I'd send along a photo of a spider I caught
making it's web this evening in Bolton, Massachusetts. Haven't a
clue what it is, some kind of Orb Weaver I guess, but it's a
pretty little thing.
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30 August, 2004
Hi guys,
Friends suggested I send along these photos of this spider which
hung in my front window all day yesterday. We thought perhaps it was
a garden spider, but it looks a bit like the recently posted photo
of an orb weaver from Boston. (We're in Arlington, MA, just a few
miles from Boston.) Estimating, I'd say the leg-span is about 3 cm.
front to back, 2 cm. side to side.
Reply: Looks like a male garden
orb weaver. Click for a larger view. |
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30 August, 2004
Hello Glen,
Yeah, everyone is right...I love your website. Anyhow from looking
at your site and photos others have attached, I can best guess that
my photo is what you call the Orb Weaver. Is that right? I first saw
it last night in the center of a pretty big web from my patio cover
to a bush. Today I saw it underneath the roof of the patio. Where
does this spider come from. Note my patio cover is approximately
3wks old. My concerns are:
What kind is it (if its not the weaver)?
Is it venomous?
Should I kill it or let it go?
Thanks a bunch in advance!!
Rod.San Diego, Ca.
Reply: Looks like a garden orb weaver
and quite harmless. |
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29 August, 2004
Any Idea's? Is it dangerous? Thanks in advance.. |
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29 August, 2004
Hello,
I live in Carbondale, Colorado and am enjoying this spider who has
built a web on my house. I suspect that it is an Orb Weaver.
John |
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29 August, 2004
Can you please help me ID this spider? My daughter, her
husband & my new Granddaughter live in Military Housing at Fort
Meade, MD, USA. Their house is constantly overrun by insects
including the one pictured below that her husband killed this
morning. She is very worried that one might hurt the baby! She is
also worried that while they are gone for approx 5 months (Training)
that the whole whose will be overrun & that she will return to find
the place engulfed in 1 big spider web! Please help!
Sincerely,
Grandma Mary
Pensacola, FL |
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29 August, 2004
I have attached a photo of a spider that I found in my back
yard. I live in Northern Illinois, I have searched all over the
internet and cannot identify this spider can you help. The color is
a little off, the actual spider is
darker and it's legs are a little more red in person. Any help you
can give would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Nancy Farrell
Medinah, IL |
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26 August, 2004
I have this spider in my front yard that builds from the tree
down, can you help me identify it? Picture attached.
Dedra |
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26 August, 2004
Beautiful Orb Weaver in Rogers Arkansas
Craig Richardson |
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26 August, 2004
Hi,
I have a spider that’s decided to move in to my deck and I can’t
seem to find on the web what kind of spider it is. I’m attaching a
photo I took of it, maybe you might know off hand. Any help you
can lend would be greatly appreciated. I live in central
Minnesota.
Thanks.
Dave.
Reply: Your little guest looks like
an Araneus orb weaver, possibly the shamrock spider Araneus
trifolium. In any case it is harmless, and a nice "deck"orative
little creature to have around.
- Nathan Hepworth
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25 August, 2004
We are from Massachusetts. Do you know if this is common to
the area?
Click for a larger view. |
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24 August, 2004
Hi, I live in Maryville Tennessee, and I have seen this spider
building a web a couple of times this summer. The actual size is
about 2 inches including the legs. Any Idea what is it.
Thanks,
FrankReply: This and the
one above look like garden orb weavers which are common in
summer. Reply: It
appears to be the species Neoscona crucifera - Nathan
Hepworth
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14 August, 2004
Hi- Nice site. I've attached a picture of a spider living
outside our window in northeastern NC on the coast. Can you tell me
what kind it is ?
Thanks,
J. Rendall
Wilmington, NC |
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5
August, 2004:
Glen - in my quest for finding the true identity (and have yet to) I
thought I would submit this one for your site. This was located
today in Berkley, Michigan, USA. I know it's an Orb
Weaver, perhaps of a marbled variety, but the stripes on its back
were moreof a zig-zag. Up until today I didn't know what an orb
weaver was, but after an hour on the internet, I've learned quite a
bit. If you or your visitors have any thoughts, that'd be fantastic!
Regards,
Mark Noble
(248) 506-0587 Wireless |
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26 July, 2004:
Hi!
I was hoping you could help me identify this spider from Rhode
Island, USA. It started with just one very large spider and now my
entire garage is COVERED with them.......they vary in size, the
largest is bigger than a quarter, but i've counted over 200 in one
night! They do create webs and it looks like they're trapping
insects and eating them because the garage is now spattered with
blood and guts. They are out all night working busily but are no
where to be seen during the day. Please let me know if you can
identify these........we're debating calling the exterminator but
will hold off if they are not harmful spiders Thank you so much,
please email at kellygrennan@yahoo.com.
Kelly! |
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23 July, 2004:
Hello can you help identify,
Duane Michael Geiler |
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19 July, 2004:
Found this lovely specimen in our backyard here in Los
Angeles, CA.
Any idea what we're looking at - and any danger to the kids ? |
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24 October, 2003:
I found this large spider hanging from our clothes line in
the backyard. The web, a perfect orb, had rather long guy wires
supporting the whole thing from the top of the clothesline to the
ground. From this and other sites, I suspect it is species Araneus
diadematus. If anyone knows different, I'd sure like to know.
Picture taken with Olympus 550D digital camera.
Mike Sumner, Bountiful, Utah. |
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28 September, 2003:
Enclosed are two photos of an orb weaver I tracked in
Burlingame California (near San Francisco International Airport) in
mid September of 2003. This specimen was orang-ish, although many
others in my garden were a dull brown. I captured them, kept them in
aquariums, tracked them outdoors, fed them, played with them. I may
have been a nuisance to them, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. They
are truly fantastic creatures. |
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26 August, 2003:
respected sir !
there are three digital imeges of spiders , i take .
THANKING YOU !
RESPECTED & REGARDS !
DEEPAK KUMAR " VIDHYARTHI "
# 321, NORTH CIVIL LINES,
GANGAL WALI GALI, ANSARI ROAD,
MUZAFFAR NAGAR-251001,(UTTAR PRADESH),INDIA. |
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20 July, 2003:
Here's a couple shots of my new garden pet that I feed June
bugs, caterpillars, etc. to keep him around...
//Todd |
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20 July, 2003:
Thank you, here are two views of the spider. One shows the
web better, the other shows the bell-like black marking on white
rectangle. Hope that you can help us identify this spider!! The bell
looks just like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia!
Margaret
aboard Bob Cat |
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20 July, 2003:
Hello - I found this super ugly spider hanging in a nice
circular web outside my window. It's got 2 large 'spikes' or 'humps'
on it's backside and it's legs are banded. If you can identify this,
is it harmful? I live in a very rural city in Utah.
Thanks!
Mandy
If you want to use these pics for anything - feel free. |
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11
June, 2003:
The garden spiders are back... every summer they come out,
and throw up webs around the house here in So. California. This one
happened to be a extra-large one...
//Todd |
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4 June, 2003:
Hello,
I have just discovered your wonderful spider website online and I
wanted to submit one of my own photos for people to compare with. I
live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (about 150 miles or 230 km north of
the Canada/U.S. border, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains). I
have on occasion seen some large spiders hanging from various
stationary objects like old rail cars, farm equipment, trees, etc. I
have always wondered what these spiders were (they are about the
size of a quarter, with a large bulbous body). Finally, I was able
to photograph one with my digicam last summer in my parents’ back
yard between two small trees. By browsing your website, I have
determined that these are most likely part of the Orb Weaver family,
although they are different from any of those shown on your site.
These bear the most resemblance to the orb weaver submitted on
September 4, 2001. I hope people would like a better view of this
variation of the species. I would also like to comment about the
photos posted on May 28, 2003 from Texas (in the unidentified
section), I believe this is also an orb weaver; it has many similar
traits to the spider I photographed, and also to some of those shown
in your orb weaver section.
Thanks again for maintaining this wonderful web site,
Gerad Coles |
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12 May, 2002:
I took this photo just last night. Whilst I was looking for a site
to try and identify it. Thought it appropriate to send
Cheers Driess
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4 September, 2001:
Hi I have this spider outside my house right now and Its nasty looking
could you tell me what kind it is Thanks it makes a huge web and its
about the size of a quarter enclosed are some pics. |
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23 September, 2001
Thanks for
a great site!! I found this spider outside my window and everyday I
have knocked down it's web. I had no idea that it was this big!! Yuck!!! My boys love looking at it while it ate the prey it
caught and my husband and I tried diligently to get some good close
ups. Do you happen to
know the species? Thanks!! |
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Here's two lots of photos of a
similar looking spider, another of the orb weaving garden spiders. Click
each photo for a larger view. |
27
August, 2001:
Good morning, I am very
fond of the spiders and snakes here on my little acre in Citrus
County, Florida. As long as they're outside the house. I have
observed this little lady for about a month now as she builds her
web every evening just after the sunset. In the morning she descends
to a point about 24 inches above the ground, cuts away the anchor
line and rides the remaining web upward while she collects the
entire web with her long legs and returns to the tree for the day.
She is very tolerant of my photographic efforts as I return nightly
in attempts to improve my pictures. Here are several of my better
shots. The engineering that goes into the construction of this web
is outstanding. I have watched this animal, or others related to
her, for years at this same location.
I am using a Kodak 4800 Digital camera. Thanks for a great web site.
Regards, Rich Elsner
In Pine Ridge, Citrus County, FL |
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23
July 2001:
I think it
is a garden spider, common in Florida, but I can't find a
good picture that looks almost exact. You can use the picture at
will. Picture from Massachusetts, United States.
Thanks
Nathan Vignola |
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19 May
2001 Looking to identify
this spider who has started weaving a web about every other night in
front of my home... Bob |
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31 March, 2001: Here's
some photos and comments by John:
"Your spider page is
excellent, even better - it is the best and most informative site on
the topic I have been able to find on the web in two hour's
searching.
I am not a spider aficionado, but have noticed a spider in my
driveway every now and again for several months now. This individual
has an intricate circular web about 10 feet off the ground, hanging
from a tree - so far pretty ordinary - but has one thread hanging
off the web with - hanging at the bottom of it - a piece of gravel
stone lifted off the driveway. This appears and disappears - so the
behaviour is repeated regularly. Somehow this animal has got into
the habit or otherwise of hoisting up a stone for some obscure
purpose.
Has anyone come across this before? Or can anyone identify this
animal or behavior off-hand or refer me to someone who might be able
to help? I live in Adelaide, Australia. Again, your website is a
credit to your school and the individuals who contributed.
John Shortt-Smith" |
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25 February, 2001:
Here's some photos I took
with my digital camera. Unfortunately digital cameras are not meant for
really good close up work, but these didn't turn out too badly. It was
very interesting to see this big fellow (an Orb Web spider of some sort)
out in his web in the morning and he really enjoyed the spray I gave him
with the hose while watering. Click on each photo for a larger picture. |
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