Marbled orb weavers are fascinating creatures, known for their vibrant colors and intricate web designs. Native to the eastern United States, these spiders can be found with a variety of hues, such as white, yellow, orange, and grayish, often adorned with mottling and spotting in shades of black, brown, or purple Marbled Orbweaver | Missouri Department of Conservation.
As you explore the dietary habits of these fascinating arachnids, it’s important to understand their role as predators in the ecosystem. These spiders have a penchant for capturing flying insects in their intricate, circular webs. This allows the marbled orb weaver to consume a variety of insect prey, including flies, mosquitoes, moths, and even small beetles, amongst others. Armed with this knowledge, you can appreciate the marbled orb weaver’s essential role in managing insect populations in their natural habitats.
Physical Description of Marbled Orb Weavers
Coloration
Marbled orbweavers display a variety of colors, including red, black, brown, yellow, orange, white, and light brown. Their patterns are variable, with mottling and spotting of black, brown, or purple. The cephalothorax (head and thorax combined) is typically yellow to burnt-orange with a central dark line and dark lines down either side 1. Some individuals, however, can have nearly white abdomens 2.
Size
Size-wise, marbled orbweavers are rather small. Adult female marbled orbweavers range from 9 to 20 millimeters in length 3. As for the males, they tend to be smaller in size than the females.
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Abdomen
A key characteristic of marbled orbweavers is their large, oval abdomens. These abdomens are usually mostly orange with brown to purple markings and spots of pale yellow 4. In some cases, the abdomens can appear nearly white in color 5.
Legs
The legs of marbled orbweavers are not prominently featured in their physical description, but you can expect them to have eight legs like any other spider. The legs can vary in color, often complementing the predominant colors on the cephalothorax and abdomen.
Spines
There is no significant information available regarding the presence of spines on marbled orbweavers. However, you can expect them to have a similar structure to other orb-weaving spiders, with their legs comprising of various segments for movement and web-building purposes.
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Habitat and Distribution
North America
In North America, marbled orb weavers can be found in various habitats, such as shrubs, fields, forests, streams, and gardens. They are usually found near grasses or vegetation where they can build their web to catch prey.
Europe
Marbled orb weavers are also found across Europe, inhabiting similar habitats as their North American counterparts, like forests and grasslands. They can even be spotted in residential gardens where they build their webs among shrubs and plants.
In Different States
Within the United States, the marbled orb weaver has a wide range including, but not limited to, Alaska, Canada, Texas, North Dakota, and New York. In the Northern Rockies, these spiders tend to live near streams and wetlands for a better chance to catch prey.
In each state, their habitat may vary slightly depending on the local vegetation and climate. For example:
- In Alaska, marbled orb weavers may be found in dense forests and wet, grassy areas.
- In Canada, they can be spotted in a mix of forests, grasslands, and even around urban gardens.
- In Texas, they gravitate towards brushy areas, tallgrass prairies, and woodlands.
- In North Dakota, they inhabit prairies, stream banks, and even residential gardens.
- In New York, they can be found in various habitats ranging from forests to suburban gardens.
No matter where they are found, marbled orb weavers prefer environments with abundant prey, and they adapt their habitat accordingly.
Feeding Habits and Prey
Type of Prey
Marbled orb weavers primarily feed on various types of insects. They are known to consume:
- Small insects
- Moths
- Flies
- Wasps
As a result, they can help in controlling the populations of some of these pests, although they may occasionally consume some beneficial insects like bees.
Hunting Mechanism
The marbled orb weaver is an expert web builder. It constructs classic orb-shaped webs made of silk, which are sticky and efficient for capturing prey. When an insect becomes trapped in the web, the spider senses the vibrations and quickly moves to apprehend its meal.
Once the spider reaches its prey, it often uses a special thread called a signal thread to detect any additional movement from the captured insect. This ensures that the marbled orb weaver is aware of its prey’s status and can respond accordingly.
With its prey secured in the web, the marbled orb weaver proceeds to immobilize its victim using its venomous bite. They wrap the prey in silk and then consume it at their leisure.
Using this hunting mechanism, marbled orb weavers prove to be efficient predators in their environments, actively assisting in the control of many insect populations.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Mating Process
In the life of a marbled orb weaver, the mating process plays a significant role in reproduction. When the time is right, males seek out females by tracking their pheromones. Once the male locates a receptive female, he starts the mating process.
The male will carefully approach the female, ensuring he doesn’t mistake her as prey. After a successful courtship, they mate, and their gametes – sperm and egg – combine during fertilization.
Egg Laying and Spiderlings
Once reproduction is successful, the female marbled orb weaver prepares to lay her eggs. Typically, egg-laying occurs during the summer months. Here are some key facts about this stage:
- Egg sacs: After mating, the female produces silk to create a protective egg sac
- Egg features: The egg sac contains hundreds of eggs, which vary in color from pale yellow to brown or purple
- Location: Females often place their egg sacs on sturdy structures, such as tree branches or sturdy plants
When the time is right, the eggs hatch, and tiny spiderlings emerge. These spiderlings are well-adapted to life on their own and will go on to grow and reproduce in the same cycle as their parents.
As you can see, the life cycle and reproduction of marbled orb weavers involve a complex yet fascinating process. By understanding their mating and egg-laying habits, you can better appreciate these remarkable creatures and their role in the ecosystem.
Interactions with Humans
Bite and Venom
Marbled orb weavers are not considered aggressive spiders. However, if they feel threatened, they may bite humans in self-defense. Their venom is not harmful to humans, and it is much less potent than that of a black widow spider. Typically, a bite from a marbled orb weaver will cause some short-lived pain, similar to a bee sting.
It is important to remember that marbled orb weavers are not a threat to humans. In fact, they can be beneficial, as they feed on a variety of insects, which helps to control pests.
As Pets
Owning a marbled orb weaver as a pet might not be common, but some people do enjoy keeping these spiders in their homes. They are low-maintenance pets that require minimal care, as they thrive in a simple setup. If you decide to keep a marbled orb weaver as a pet, you should provide:
- A suitable enclosure with enough space for the spider to build its web
- Proper humidity levels and temperature
- A variety of insects to serve as food
Keep in mind that handling marbled orb weavers is not recommended, as they are fragile creatures and can become stressed when handled, increasing the risk of a defensive bite. If you are interested in keeping a pet spider, it is always essential to research and understand the specific care requirements for the species you choose.
Defense and Predators
Marbled orb weavers, like other spiders, have their share of predators to worry about. They employ various defense strategies to protect themselves from harm. Some common predators of marbled orb weavers include birds, wasps, and certain species of mammals and reptiles.
When faced with a potential threat, marbled orb weavers may employ different tactics. One such tactic is to hide in their silk retreat, a small shelter they create near their web. This provides a safe space for them to evade detection by predators.
Vibration sensing is another crucial aspect of their defense. Orb weavers can detect vibrations in their webs, alerting them to the presence of potential threats or prey. If they sense a predator’s presence, they may decide to drop from their web and escape, hiding until the danger has passed.
In addition to their unique threat response strategies, their bright colors might also serve as a warning to would-be predators. A marbled orb weaver’s striking appearance may discourage predators from attempting to eat them, as bright colors in nature often indicate an unpalatable or venomous creature.
Another interesting tactic that marbled orb weavers use in response to being touched is to play dead. By remaining motionless, they might trick predators into thinking they are already dead and not worth pursuing.
In summary, marbled orb weavers have developed a variety of defense mechanisms that help them evade and escape predators. These include hiding, sensing vibrations, displaying bright colors, and even playing dead upon contact. By utilizing these strategies, they increase their chances of survival in the face of potential danger.
Scientific Classification and Relationship with Other Spiders
Family and Order
Marbled orb weavers (Araneus marmoreus) belong to the Araneidae family, which is part of the order Araneae in the class Arachnida. They share the class Arachnida with other spiders, ticks, and scorpions, all of which are members of the phylum Arthropoda and subphylum Chelicerata. The Araneidae family is known for its diverse and colorful orb-weaver spiders.
The scientific classification of marbled orb weavers is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Family: Araneidae
- Genus: Araneus
- Species: Araneus marmoreus
Related Species
Marbled orb weavers have several related species within the Araneidae family. Some notable relatives include:
- Argiope: Also known as banana spiders, they are known for their striking patterns and large size.
- Gasteracantha: These orbweavers are recognizable by their spiny abdomens and bold colors.
A comparison between marbled orb weavers, argiope, and gasteracantha:
| Feature | Marbled Orb Weaver | Argiope (Banana Spider) | Gasteracantha (Spiny orb-weaver) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 9-20 mm | 14-24 mm | 5-9 mm |
| Color | Orange, yellow, white, and brown | Yellow, black and silver | Red, yellow, black, and white |
| Habitat | Gardens, fields, and forests | Tropical and subtropical regions | Tropical and subtropical regions |
| Web | Orb-shaped | Orb-shaped | Orb-shaped |
In conclusion, marbled orb weavers are fascinating spiders closely related to other orb-weaver species like Argiope and Gasteracantha. As members of the Araneidae family, they share similar characteristics and habits, such as their striking colors and impressive webs.
Footnotes
108 Comments. Leave new
OMG,are you kidding me,this octopuss is hanging outside my door now,it is scary as ****,Oh my,please stay outside…
Just saw one hanging from our tree…Louisville, KY.
I found the same spider two weeks ago in my window. Andover ohio
I found one yesterday on my deck. Never have seen one before. I’m in Santa Claus Indiana
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I also just found one hanging in front of our front door- my 19 yr old thought it was a practical JOKE- until it started crawling back up the web!
I wish I could post a picture of it
I Live in Delaware, and it’s Halloween day
My husband found one in our pool skimmer today 11/15/2013 in Due West, South Carolina! Are they dangerous?
They are not dangerous.
I live about 1 1/2 hours north of Atlanta in a small town called Commerce. Saw my first pumpkin spider here this afternoon . Large legs marked black but not all over carrying his pumpkin. Never seen a spider like this before.
Saw one walking along the ground yesterday. Such a bright orange it practically glowed in the evening light. Asheville, NC.
I saw my first dozen or so of these this year, after living in Carroll County, MD for five years. They were all on the north side of my home, out of direct sunlight.
Wow, how wonderful to have so many Pumpkin Spiders in such close proximity.
Was blessed with one this morning inside my home. It scared me but that’s just me. Afraid of all bugs. Atlanta, GA
I found one today on my front porch like this but had like a neon yellow to it too …in newfane ny. Any idea what it is when it us bright red with yellow then back spits on its belly and back… Couldn’t download pic
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can these be a brownish body with a red “strawberry” on the back?
This is a highly variable spider.
I’ve never seen one of these. Until now!!!! Weird, just in time for Halloween! Everett, WA
I’m in South Central Pennsylvania and saw a pumpkin spider like this just a short time ago – when I opened my back door, it fell to the ground and sort of staggered around on the patio – didn’t know if that orange thing was an egg sack or its body. I got a piece of cardboard and scooped it up and put it in the garden. It’s in the 40’s and 50’s these days around here. Never saw one like this before! And yes, it’s near Halloween!
They really are beautiful spiders, but quite clumsy when not in the web.
Just came across on of these here in norther Indiana had never seen one till today, very cool looking!!
I never seen one like this before. Found it crawling in leaves. Redgranite WI
My Sib puppy had an encounter with one of these this afternoon. Had never seen one this glowing orange. Oct. 20, 2014. Northern panhandle of WV.
Found one yesterday, here in Victoria, BC, Canada
I am in Indiana Found this wonderful Colored spider out hiding under lock latch to barn door, Thanks for the Information, I have lived in Ind. All my life never seen a orange spider, But It looks like a gray one That I have seen.
It is a variable species
Yes I seen one today and thought it looked like a orange wolf spider
I found a pumpkin spider in my front yard. Barre, Mass.
My wife and I saw our first one today in our garage. Remarkably beautiful creature.
Oct. 27,2014 While putting my garden items away I found this beautiful orange spider. At this age in life a surprise is nice.
i have just had this in my garden. its is 14 degrees here in Grantham Lincs UK. is it dangerous?
We suspect you might have another species of Orbweaver and they are harmless.
Lucky omen! I think they are beautiful and oh so shy! You just gently breathe on one and it curls all up, all a-scared, in the hopes you will just leave them alone. I dig those kinds of spiders. The ones that come running at you though, all wicked fast like, maybe because they just can’t see and don’t know where the heck they are going? I don’t like those guys so much. 😀
Nice one!
I like these spiders but didn’t find any in the garden or around the outside of the house this year. In fact, no orb weavers at all!
I see these all the time and they make huge webs too! So awesome! The webs depending on size of spider can be between trees..yes, between trees! I walked into one web this morning at work..LOL.. saw it was in the tree and took a few pics.. just so pretty!
Found one in southern New Jersey a week ago.
I’m in Columbus, too. Better go check my back door for orange orb weavers!
Love these!
My roommate found one at the end of our driveway this afternoon in Pine City, Mn!
I found one in my yard today. In pine city mn.
11-09-14 Found one in my back yard today. It was beautiful. I picked him up and put him to the side so he wouldn’t get squished.
11-09-14 Found one in my back yard today. It was beautiful. I picked him up and put him to the side so he wouldn’t get squished. Yorkville, Georgia
I saw one this weekend in Wynnewood PA
It’s orange was as vivid as neon spray paint.
I found one of these on our dish rack in the kitchen and thought WOW! I love bugs and thanks to your website I have been able to identify it. Amazing color!
Found 2 by my front porch had a huge web and was hanging from it. ILLINOIS
Spotted one with a huge orbed web in the corner of our shed. I didn’t know what kind of spider it was.Oddly enough it has a jack-o-lantern face on its back.
I just found one in Ottertail, MN (north central MN)
Just found one in Indiana, PA.
I just found one in Sterling Heights, MI
I see a orange spider today at 10:35a.m. Oct.10-13 I ask my husband that spider looks like a pumpkin he said yes it looks like a pumpkin
My daughter has seen one of these spiders in her driveway. She lives in Kempton Indiana, she spotted this spider on October 23, 2015.
I saw one of these Pumpkin Spinders today, 11/1/15 in Macomb, IL.
Madison county
Ohio found pumpkin spider
Madison county
Ohio found pumpkin spider
Spotted one in Joelton TN today. Very bright and large. 

Marbled ORBWEAVER
10/24/15
Spotted one in Joelton TN today. Very bright and large. 

Marbled ORBWEAVER
10/24/15
Me and my daughter saw a spider just like this one it was a very pretty orange color It was hanging outside of our back door and it came near halloween time -Lancaster Pa
Saw one today in gates mills Ohio. Amazing.
Saw a pumpkin spider on 10/26/2015 in Easton, PA.
I found one yesterday with a huge nest in our wood pile.Scary but beautiful color.
Just found one on my pourch and was wondering if it is poisonous
The bite is not considered dangerous to humans, and the species is very reluctant to bite.
Ugly and disgusting creature!!
knoxville,tn
Found one today in Brockport, NY.
My son just found this pumpkin spider on a porch in Pipersville at his home. He bottled it up and brought it to our house a couple miles away to release it on our property. What csn WE expect? Are they poisonous?
Pumpkin Spiders are not a threat to humans.
I seen the pumpkin spider today in my driveway.. Very cool..I did get a picture
I just spotted one of these today on my driveway. I live southwest of Indianapolis, indiana
Found one off the Silver Comit Trail, Powder Springs, GA north of Atlanta.
I found my first one today while racking leaves and burning them , my fiance had just walked out as I noticed what looked like a glowing amber and bent down to see if that was what it was and was startled when spider legs emerged from it ! It reminded me of how fire Flys light up except bright orange ! At 53 it’s amazing what nature has that I just now experienced, pretty wild
I spotted one of these today on break at lunch. It was hiding in the leaves, crawled out and made its way beside the building. It moved slow but steady. I work in Wauseon, Ohio.
Saw one today for the first time in my life. Near Gettysburg, PA. Wasn’t sure what it was so had to look it up immediately.
Just found one outside our garage door in Chesapeake VA – it’s December 1st but the temps are in the upper 50s. This spider is beautiful – we’d never seen anything like it before! The color of its back is such a bright beautiful orange. Thanks for this site – made it so easy to identify.
I seen one out in my carport yesterday. I thought it might have been fake at first. It was dying where it is getting cold but its a bright orange Pumpkin Spider in Rogersville, TN east of the Smoky Mountains.
I found one on my front porch one night in the beginning of November. The porch light went out after I change the bulb an turned the light on that’s when I realized my head was two inches from it. Scared the crap out of me. Never seen anything like it before an I’ve seen lots of spiders before. Paradise,CA.
My son and I saw one of these interesting little fellas today outside our doctor’s office. We live in Oakville, Ontario! A little far from home isn’t he? He didn’t look like he was doing too well unfortunately.
The species ranges to Ontario and other parts of Canada according to this BugGuide sighting map.
Just now saw one of these mesmerizing spiders. It’s uncommonly warm in the south Atlanta, GA, area for December, and we have had an abundance of rain over the past week. I’ve never seen this kind of spider before. Beautiful and creepy all at the same time!
Saw pumpkin spider in florida during febuary 2016 crawling on my hand…………….dont think it bit me are they posinas
They are not dangerous.
Saw one here in Shillington, PA. My 11 year old daughter thought it was very cool
I almost walked right into this. It has made a gigantic, beautiful web spanning four feet across my very dimly lit- backyard patio. I have never beheld this type of spider before. I thought, at first, that it was a crab caught in a giant spider web (I live in Belleville, Illinois- so no crabs in town).
We have this pumpkin spider every fall! We live in Statesville NC. The first time we ever saw one, we were putting our Halloween decorations away. The pumpkin spider was literally in the eye socket of a skull we had outside!! Crazy! I love the black and white striped legs!
I had no idea what it was when I saw one.
this spider scared me I had no idea what it was and when I looked it up I saw that some people said it was poisenus and some say it is harmless. on the other hand it is funny that it is October the 22 2016 and it looks like a pumpkin!
Found this festive crawler(guess where)strolling up by the front door. I was standing several feet away when I noticed something unusual moving, at a moderate pace, upwards. It looks pregnant to me, but I am no bug boy. Gorgeous. I named it O’rangella
Saw our first one today in Letchworth State Park
I seen one today outside at my job
I even took a picture to show my husband.
Just “picked up” my very first so called pumpkin spider. It was on my kitchen floor and was mistaken for a piece of caramel corn I thought the kids had dropped. Good thing my husband didn’t see it first! We live in Spencer, In. It was an experience I won’t soon forget.
I just found one outside my home in Connersville in
I currently have one on my porch. I’m watching him rebuild his web after a storm just past. Neat little dude. So long as he stays in his corner.
Located in Ravenna, OH
I found today. It was in my tree at my house. I live in Espanola, NM.
I just found one in my backyard as I was cutting down trees. Pleasant Grove, Utah
Found one on our deck this morning! NW Illinois 10/5/2017
Great, I haven’t seen one since two years ago.
I saw one year back my niece almost run into it and i have never seen one before so we knot it off the tree and killed it because i didn’t know if it was venomous or not. it was back around 2005 maybe in October or November. I real don’t like spiders the only spider i will mess with is a granddaddy spider.
I did not like the post that a guy killed such a beautiful, harmless, rare spider.
Found on on my house. I live in northeast Pennsylvania. It’s October 9th.
Just saw my first one, out in my front yard in Asheville, NC. What a magnificent creature! Took her off the footpath so she wouldn’t get stepped on accidentally.
5 years late, but I found one a couple days ago walking through my driveway. Thing was so cool. I’m in CT
Found one today Minnesota
Our elementary school janitor swept one up on Friday, 11/1/2019. First one either of us ever saw. Right after Halloween. How fitting marbled orb weaver or pumpkin spider. West Brookfield, Massachusetts.
In September and October at night the orange spider would spin a huge web. What is odd the spider(s)spin a web where people would be walking through and walk through it. I had to take a detour to avoid walking through it with the spider on it. Scary indeed. Now we’re in December I have not seen any more of them. Thank goodness.
I grew up in the SF Bay Area and the fields were covered with the webs of this spider and a spider with a large white abdomen. When I was little, I used to catch them and carry them around inside my shirt. I thought they were very beautiful 🙂
Found one in my shed today in Portland OR
One is outside my door in Washington!