Orb Weaver

Orb weavers come in several colors and sizes, so they are not always easy to identify at first glance. In Virginia, homeowners may see species with yellow, orange, brown, gray, white, or black markings. Some have smooth rounded bodies, while others look bumpy or spiny.  Females are usually larger than males. In many cases, the spider people notice in the web is a female. Males are smaller and spend more time searching for mates instead of sitting in the web.

 

Most orb weavers share a few traits:

 

• Large, rounded abdomen

• Long legs that may look banded or striped

• Colorful patterns on the back

• Round, wheel-shaped web

• Habit of sitting in the web, especially in the evening

   

One of the best-known types of orb-weaver is the yellow garden spider, which has a bold black and yellow body and often builds a web with a thick zigzag pattern through the center. Other orb weavers may be less dramatic but still easy to spot because of their classic circular webs.

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To learn more about orb weavers, check out blog post