Spinybacked orbweaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis
(Araneae: Araneidae)

Males and females of this species differ in appearance. The female is more commonly seen. The male is much smaller and has a different shape. The anterior portion of the female's body is dark brown in color. The abdomen can be white, orange, red or yellow in color with red pointy spurs. The abdomen also has dark brown oval spots. The underside of this spider is black with small yellow spots.

After mating, the female deposits her egg sac either on the web, or on a plant close to the web. Spiderlings (immatures) hatch and disperse during the spring.

This spider is found during the fall season in wooded areas throughout the United States.

This species feeds on various insects and other small arthropods.

Images

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Adult spinybacked orbweaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis.
(Photographer: James Castner, University of Florida)

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Egg sac of the spinybacked orbweaver, Gasteracantha
cancriformis.
(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

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