Family Araneidae

Orb Weavers

Home Order Acarida Order Araneida Order Phalangida Order Pseudoscorpionida Order Scorpionida

Size: Small, usually under 25 mm Antennae: Not present
Diet: Eat live prey Mouthparts: Chelicerae
Habitat: Live in most areas and parts of the world Legs: Four pairs
Morphology: Young are similar in appearance to adults Front Wings: Not present
Segmentation: Two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen) with a distinct waist Hind Wings: Not present
Distinctive Characteristics and Behaviors:

          All possess eight eyes on their cephalothorax and four to six spinnerets on the dorsal and ventral side of their abdomen.  All possess venom and catch their food in the webs they spin.  Females often eat males after mating.

 

 

Homer Lake, IL, 10-6-02, E. Lauterbur

Homer Lake, IL, 10-6-02, E. Lauterbur