Spotted Orbweavers: Neoscona
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Neoscona, a genus of small to medium sized orb weaver spiders, also go by the name spotted orbweavers.
Six Neoscona species spin their webs in North America, although only four species are widely distributed. Three of the four species are presented here.
Spotted Orbweavers share many physical traits with spider species in the Araneus genus, especially having rounded abdomens.
Often, but not always, the presence of red banded or strongly banded legs serves as a good first identification pointer for the spider being a spotted orbweaver.
For their size, they build larger than average webs.
The spotted orbweaver in the top picture, Neoscona crucifera, inhabits most areas of eastern North America.
The presence of a light or dark cross pattern on the abdomen gives the spider its name.
Neoscona domiciliorum, also sometimes called the spotted orbweaver, is a native species of the Southeast and Gulf Coast states.
The picture highlights the spider's red banded legs and dark patterned abdomen.
Picture three shows a Western Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona oaxacensis), a native species of the Southwest from California to Texas.
Physical differences within the species are often noted.
The two triangular marks at the top of the abdomen, followed by the smaller oval marks, represent one typical N. oaxacensis pattern.
© 2005-2011 Patricia A. Michaels