Eriophora: Tropical Orbweaver

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Eriophora are a group of orb weavers found in tropical areas of the world, and therefore given the name tropical orbweavers to distinguish them from other species in the Araneidae family.

According to Levi, Eriophora ravilla and Eriophora edax are the only documented species found in the United States.

E. Ravilla lives along the Gulf Coast states, with a large presence in Florida and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. E. edax has a smaller presence in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the southern areas of Arizona and California.

Both species are described as having a pointed abdomen (with various colors) and banded legs.

While no single picture can serve as positive identification, both pictures presented here were taken in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and they match the basic Eriophora description.

The top picture shows a specimen with a green patch on the abdomen, most probably E. Ravilla.

The bottom picture shows an all reddish specimen that highlights the pointed redish-brown abdomen with white hairs and banded legs. The identification of Eriophora is tentative.

Eriophora species tend to be night hunters, building their webs at night and retreating to rest on leafs during the day. Their webs are fairly sturdy. Levi provides a picture of a Eriophora fulitginea web that trapped a bat.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels