Neoscona
crucifera
By Kathy Fell
Walking into spider webs gives me the creeps. This past week, I went out behind the
breezeway and was shocked to find a spider web spanning across the 10 ft patio. Lucky for me, I spotted it before walking
into the thing. The clever spider left
me safe passage to the breezeway door, so I let her keep her hunting ground. But what spider made that massive web?
That evening I went out in the dark of night, sporting a
headlamp. I spotted a very large spider
making repairs to her very large web.
The top anchor point to the south is on the gutters and to the north is
on a dogwood tree. The top of the web is
about 5 ft. off the ground. I tried to
take a picture, but she was working so quickly, my camera could not freeze the
action. I took mental notes and went to
check the internet. I identified the spider
as Neoscona crucifera. I found
multiple common names: Spotted orb weaver, Heinz orb weaver, arboreal orb weaver
and barn spider.
I checked on my spider friend the next day and discovered her enjoying a cicada for breakfast. When I approached with my camera, she scurried off to the safety of the dogwood tree. I got a photo of her trying to look small, hiding on a leaf. Later, I was able to get a picture of her finishing off her meal and submitted it to iNaturalist.
This orb weaver is common across half of the US, generally nocturnal and most often sighted in the fall.
I found out where my spider friend hides out during the day; rolled up inside a dogwood leaf tied shut with a little spider silk.
All spiders have venom which they use to paralyze their
prey. The venom of this shy spider is
not considered to be toxic to humans, but they will leave a mark. It is always best to be respectful of our
spider neighbors.
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