Best Araneidae

The barn spider (*Araneus cavaticus*) is a species of orb-weaver spider native to North America, commonly found in barns, caves, and overhangs during the late summer and fall. As a nocturnal arachnid, it constructs large, vertical wheel-shaped webs at night to catch flying insects and typically cons...

Argiope keyserlingi, commonly called the St. Andrew's Cross spider, is an orb-weaver native to eastern Australia. It rests near the center of its web with its legs arranged in paired groups, visually echoing the diagonal arms of a St. Andrew's cross. The web often contains conspicuous zigzag silk de...

The Spiny Orb-weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) is a small spider species found from the southern United States through Central America to Argentina. Female spiders of this species possess a distinctive hardened abdomen with six prominent spines, typically colored yellow, red, or white with black...

Cyrtophora citricola, commonly known as the tent-web spider, is an araneid spider first described by the Danish naturalist Peter Forsskål in 1775. The species constructs distinctive horizontal, tent-shaped webs that are non-adhesive, capturing prey through the spider's rapid response to vibrations r...

Araneus quadratus, the four-spot orb weaver, is a large Palearctic spider first described in 1757, distinguished by the four prominent white spots on its dorsal abdomen.

Cyclosa insulana is an island trashline spider notable for arranging prey carcasses and debris into a vertical line within its web to camouflage its exact location.

The Shamrock Spider is a distinctively colored orb-weaver found across North America, notable for the prominent white, yellow, or red spots on its abdomen that give it its name.

Zygiella x-notata, the missing sector orb weaver, is a common house spider first described in 1757, distinguished by its characteristic two-signal-thread web construction.

Nuctenea umbratica, the walnut orb weaver, is a European spider described in 1757, distinguished by its exceptionally flattened body and dark, walnut-like abdominal markings.

The Redfemured Spotted Orbweaver is a southeastern United States spider distinguished by its striking red or orange leg segments, often observed in wooded areas during the autumn.

The Spotted Orbweaver is a nocturnal North American spider recognized by the distinct cross-shaped pattern on its abdomen, often seen building large webs in gardens during late summer.

Larinioides sclopetarius, the bridge spider, is a Holarctic orb-weaver described in 1757 that is notably recognized for frequently building its webs on man-made bridges.

Gibbaranea bituberculata, or the humpbacked orb weaver, is a European spider first described in 1802, uniquely identified by the two prominent humps on its dorsal abdomen.

The Furrow Orb Weaver is a common Holarctic spider named for the distinctive furrow down the middle of its carapace, frequently found building webs near water across the USA.

Mangora acalypha is the grass cross spider, a small European orb-weaver notable for the dense, highly intricate web it spins low in grassy meadows and shrubs.

Agalenatea redii, the hammock orb weaver, is a Palearctic species described by Scopoli in 1763, notable for constructing distinct, dome-shaped orb webs in low vegetation.

The Six-spotted Orbweaver is a diminutive Holarctic spider recognized by the six black dots on its pale yellow or greenish abdomen, commonly found in forests across North America.

Cercidia prominens, the prominent orb weaver, is a small spider described by Westring in 1851, notable for its distinctively angular, reddish-brown abdomen and ground-level webs.

Singa hamata is the hammock spider, a European orb weaver notable for the unique horizontal, mesh-like structure of its web that resembles a small woven hammock.

Zilla diodia is a European orb-weaving spider notable for the distinct white cross-shaped stabilimentum it frequently weaves into the center of its horizontal web.