Common Orb Weaver Spiders

Garden Orb Weaver

• One of the most common orb weaver spider types is the garden orb weaver. It is by far the largest group, with more than 2,800 species. They come in all colors, shapes and sizes, but all are capable of building elaborate orb webs. The garden orb weaver is seen typically in the middle of her web with her head down, waiting for prey to be ensnared in the structure's sticky silk. The spider has a short life span that usually lasts only one season.

Golden Orb Weaver

• The golden orb weaver makes its home all over the world. The silk from this spider has a golden sheen. The only cloth in existence made from spider silk was harvested from thousands of golden orb weavers and is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This large spider has been known to feed on bats and birds caught in its web. They vary in color but often have yellow banded legs.

Argiopes

• Several species of argiopes are common orb weaver spiders. The black and yellow argiope often is a typical inhabitant in gardens. Gardeners usually leave their large webs undisturbed since the spider is helpful in eliminating harmful insects. The banded argiope has brown, white and yellow bands across its abdomen, and silver hair on its head and thorax. The silver argiope is common in tropical areas because they prefer warmer temperatures.

Venusta Orchard Spider

• The venusta orchard spider is another common orb weaver found throughout the United States. A type of long-jawed orb weaver, the spider is yellowish green with brown stripes on its sides. The venusta orchard spider has long, thin legs. The spider usually waits on a nearby twig for an insect to get caught in and shake the web. They are most active during the summer and fall seasons.

Marbled Orb Weaver

• The marbled orb weaver is common in urban areas, and there are more than 1,500 species across the world. Known for their bright colors and markings, they also build large, rounded webs that are vertically oriented. Most varieties have large, round abdomens. They like moist habitats and are found often along stream banks in wooded areas. Like the venusta orchard spider, the marbled orb weaver also tends to hide near its web, out of sight of intended prey insects.