🕷️ Six-spotted Orbweaver (Araniella displicata)
The Six-spotted Orbweaver is a small and brightly colored spider found across parts of North America, known for its delicate orb-shaped webs and often vibrant green hue. Despite its name, it may not always have six visible spots, but it is easily recognized by its unique coloring and compact size.
🔍 Identification
- Size:
- Females: 4–7 mm
- Males: 3–5 mm
- Color:
- Abdomen: Typically bright green with small black spots (up to six) near the rear
- Cephalothorax: Reddish to brown
- Legs: Translucent green or yellow with fine hairs
- Markings: Small black dots toward the back end of the abdomen, giving it the “six-spotted” name
🌍 Distribution & Habitat
- Range: Widely distributed in North America—including the U.S. and southern Canada
- Habitat:
- Forests, gardens, meadows, and shrublands
- Often found on leaves or low vegetation, where it spins small orb webs
🌐 Webs & Hunting
- Constructs small orb-shaped webs horizontally or at an angle between vegetation
- Typically rebuilds the web daily
- Prey: Small flying insects like gnats and flies
- Uses vibration in the web to detect prey and rapidly moves to capture and immobilize it
🧬 Behavior & Life Cycle
- Solitary except during mating season
- Reproduction:
- Males approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey
- Females lay eggs in silken sacs hidden in leaves or under bark
- Life span: One year (typically adults are seen in late spring through summer)
⚠️ Venom & Interaction with Humans
- Venom is harmless to humans
- Very unlikely to bite, and if so, the bite is mild and similar to a bug bite
- Often goes unnoticed due to small size and excellent camouflage
🌟 Fun Facts
- Sometimes confused with its European cousin, Araniella cucurbitina, which shares a similar green coloration
- Helps with natural pest control by catching small insects
- The green coloration makes it nearly invisible against leaves, protecting it from predators
🧭 Summary
The Six-spotted Orbweaver (Araniella displicata) is a tiny, vibrant spider that plays a quiet but crucial role in controlling insect populations. With its delicate web, shy nature, and brilliant green camouflage, it’s a jewel of the undergrowth—an elegant little predator that’s more helpful than harmful. Keep an eye out on garden leaves or forest foliage—you might just spot this hidden gem.
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