Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus) – Pumpkin Spider

Did you Know?

The Genus this spider falls under has the most species in the world.

It is one of the showiest members of the Orb-weaver spiders.

Females are twice the size of the males.

Photo: 2014 Brian Popelier

Habitat – Wooded areas, meadows, residential areas, near streams, creeks or other water sources.

Size – Females can reach sizes of 9 – 20 mm. Males smaller reaching up to 10mm.

Range – They are found throughout all of Canada to into Alaska and from North Dakota to Texas, east to the Atlantic Ocean. Also in Europe and the USSR.

Status – Ontario: S5, secure/Canada: Secure.

Diet – Insects

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]

Identification:

Have very large abdomens which are orange with brown or purple mottling and spots of yellow. Occasionally they can have white abdomens. The legs have alternating bars of white and brown and the head is also orange in colour. Males are similarly coloured but smaller in size with a less bulbous abdomen.

Female - Photo: Wikipedia,PiccoloNamek

Interesting Facts

The webs are found vegetation such as trees, shrubs, tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded areas. The webs are vertical and have a single signal thread attached to the center that notifies the spider when prey has been captured. The spider hides in a spot at the side of the web at the end of the signal strand and when it vibrates they run out to get their prey.

Adults are active from the middle of Summer until the first frost. They lay their eggs in the Fall in special egg cocoons which contain several hundred eggs. These are constructed of the spiders silk and the young hatch in the Spring.

Once the young hatch they go through several stages of molting until they finally emerge as adults in the Summer. The adults breed, lay their eggs then die by the time winter starts so this spider has a life span of less than one year.

Marbled Orb Weavers on the Niagara Escarpment

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting land along the Niagara Escarpment which provide a perfect habitat for this species. Look for this creepy crawly as you hike along the trail as it is found along the entire length of The Bruce Trail. October is a perfect month to see this spider with its pumpkin-like appearance and orange colouring.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]