Orchard Orbweaver
The plantation orb weavers, Leucauge argyrobapta, and Leucauge venusta are types of the orb-weaver variety. Orchard orb weavers belong to the family of Tetragnathidae, the long-jawed orb weavers. Described with a long jaw, native to various pieces of the US like Colombia, southern Canada, as well as different locales of Central America.
They are found in orchards. However, you’re similarly prone to see their networks on low vegetation in forests (particularly dampish forests) from southern Canada well into Central and South America.
Orchard Orbweaver Spider Facts
| Size | Male body length is 3.5 to 4 mm, Female body length is 5.5 to 7.5 mm |
| Color | Shell is yellowish green, stomach with shades of silver, green, red and blue color |
| Diet | little moths, flies, leaf bugs, and flying bugs |
| Lifespan | About 1 year |
| Distribution | Found in Canada and southern part of United states |
Physical Appearance & Identification Traits
1. Size
Orchard Orb weaver spider Male body lengths (3.5 to 4.0 mm) is smaller than female body lengths (5.5 to 7.5 mm)
2. Color
The orchard orb weaver carapace is yellowish-green, with earthy colored stripes on the sides. The top of the mid-region (which normally faces descending) is shiny with dim stripes; the stomach (which ordinarily faces up) can be dynamically shaded with silver, greens, yellows, reds, and a few blues. There is generally a yellow, orange, or red bow on the stomach.
3. Web
Adults orchard orb weaver spider make a web that is about a foot across, horizontal or slightly tipped. Young spiders make smaller webs nearer to the ground than their elderly folks.
4. Eggs
The orchard orb weaver spider egg sack is comprised of fluffy orange-white silk, estimated around 8 to 9 mm in width, and contains a few hundred eggs. The eggs are reddish-orange and around 0.4mm in width.
Lifespan
They have a life expectancy of about a year like most orb-weaver spider species. Adults die by the first frost. The eggs hatch, and the spiderlings within the shelter of the sac, disperse in the spring and begin making their own webs.
Habitat
Forests, dense woodlands, woodland edges, shrubby meadows, gardens, and orchards.
Preys and Predators
Orchard orb weaver’s prey predominantly incorporates little moths, flies, leaf bugs, and flying bugs. They are eaten by a variety of mammals like shrews and bats and by numerous species of songbirds
Distribution
Leucauge venusta, is found from Canada southward throughout the eastern half of the US to Georgia, with a small distinct population in southern California.
Does Orchard Orb Weaver Bite and If They’re Poisonous?
Leucauge venusta or orchard orb weaver spiders are harmless spiders, and rarely do they bite. And even if they bite, their venom is not considered poisonous to humanity.
