The orange spider can be dangerous, but it is not harmful. These spiders are docile and non-aggressive. They will flee at any sign of danger or threat. They have venom but it only affects prey.
The Orb-weaver spider is named for the web’s unique shape, which is similar in appearance to a wheel. Supporting lines are the main framework of webs made by orange spiders.
The main supporting lines are surrounded by silk threads that radiate from the central web, like spokes on a bicycle wheel.
Keep reading to find out more interesting facts!
How Do I Describe the Orange Spider?
There are many different orange-coloured garden spiders. The most common orange spider, however, is the Marbled Orb Weaver — Araneus marmoreus.
It is sometimes called a pumpkin spider due to its bright yellow colour and inflated abdomen. Araneidae is the family that includes the marbled orb weaver.
The third-largest spider family in the world, it has 3,108 species and 186 genera. The members of this spider family are well known for the circular webs they create in fields, forests, and gardens.
Two main types of marbled orb weaver spiders are found in the world. Orange spiders with an orange-inflated abdomen and brown or black marbling are the most common.
Second is the Pyramidatus. This spider is paler orange in colour, and can sometimes be white. It has only one patch of colour on its abdomen, instead of the marbling.
The abdomens of adult female marbled orb weavers range from 9 to 20 millimetres. Orange abdomens with brown or black markings are the most common colour. This species is available in a variety of colours and patterns.
The colour of the abdomen can range from pale yellow to black/brown. cephalothorax can be yellow or burnt orange with dark lines on either side.
The femurs can be red with a black-and-white pattern on the tibias, metatarsi, and tarsi. Legs may have a brownish pattern instead.
Read also: Tips On How To Identify and Control Wolf Spiders In Arizona
How Do I Describe the Webs of the Orange Spider?
In moist wooded areas, the webs can be found on trees, tall grasses, weeds and shrubs. They are also often found on the banks of streams.
The webs are vertically oriented and contain a “signal thread” at the centre that alerts the spider to its prey’s capture.
Araneus Marmoreus, unlike Argiope spiders of the garden, hides in silken retreats to the side (at the end of the signal thread).
You can use silk or only silk to hold leaves together, or you can fold leaves over and place them under debris.
How Do I Identify the Orange Spider?
- Colour:
This spider is most noticeable for its yellowish-orange, inflated abdomen. Some are dark orange and others are plain yellow. It’s not exaggerated to say it’s one of the brightest-coloured spiders on the planet.
- Size:
Female spiders, like most spiders, are typically two to three sizes larger than males. They also have the most striking appearance.
The size measurements of females range between 0.35 inches and 0.7 inches, and between 0.09 inches and 0.18 inches in width. The males are 0.35 to 0.39 inches in length, and have a width between 0.09 and 0.1 inches.
- Abdomen:
Orange spiders have a large and inflated abdomens. This spider is most commonly orange with brown or black markings on its abdomen.
The colour and pattern may differ slightly between individuals. They have a yellow-to-burnt-orange cephalothorax with dark lines on either side.
- Legs:
The legs of these lizards are bright red, with black and white bands at the end. Some varieties have brownish bands on the legs instead. Orange spiders have black eyes that are usually quite sharp.
Read also: What Attracts Spiders To Your Home?
How Do I Describe the Behavior of the Orange Spider?
Orange garden spiders are members of a group known as orb-weavers. Their webs have the shape of a wheel. The webs are supported by lines that serve as the main framework.
Silk threads are attached to the supporting lines and radiate outwards from the web’s centre, like spokes on a wheel.
Orange garden spiders create zigzag patterns in their webs. These threads vibrate to alert the spider when prey is captured.
Orange garden spiders have sticky webs, but they secrete a substance to prevent them from sticking to their own silk.
What Makes Up the Diet of the Orange Spiders?
Araneus Marmoreus eats mainly insects. They catch insects in their complex web. Orange spiders weave webs with silky and nonsilky strands to wrap prey tightly.
When it hooks its prey, the web vibrates. The spider is alerted to attack its prey and paralyze it with venom. The spiders inject digestive fluids to soften meat in the insects before they begin eating.
This spider can capture up to 14 insects per day. The spider’s diet includes:
- Beetles
- Wasps
- Moths
- Mosquitoes
What Eats Orange Spiders?
- Large arthropods
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- Scorpions
- Centipedes
- Wasps
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- Birds
- Reptiles
Where Do Orange Spiders Live?
- Continental America
- Eastern Britain
- East Europe
- Central Europe
- Nearctic Regions
- Palearctic regions
- Gulf Coast
- Holarctic regions
The spider lives in wooded areas and spins webs in shrubs and tall vegetation. You can find them in rivers, forests, meadows and agricultural fields. You can find them in mailboxes and other man-made structures, but they rarely go inside.
How Do I Prevent Orange Spiders?
Essential oils are effective if you don’t mind their strong smell. The citrus powder works because spiders hate citrus in general. Orange spiders are killed by a mixture of water and half-white vinegar.
Orange spiders do not harm humans. Their venom only affects prey animals. Their venom on humans is no more harmful than that of a wasp or bee sting. As they don’t enter homes, encounters with people are rare.
Read also: Wolf Spider vs Brown Recluse Spider: Facts and Differences
Conclusion
Orange spiders are usually seen mating in the late summer, as they are orb-weaving. Cannibalism is common in some spider species after mating. However, this doesn’t happen with the marbling orb weaver.
This spider can be identified by its orange or yellowish colour. You may also look for other signs of identification, as many orb-weavers are orange or yellowish in colour.
Thanks for reading! For more information about this spider, do not fail to reach out to us via the comments section below!
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