The Neoscona crucifera, commonly known as the Spotted Orbweaver or Hentz orbweaver, is a large, non-aggressive spider frequently encountered across North America, ranging from the eastern seaboard to parts of the Southwest and Mexico. This species belongs to the family Araneidae, which is characterized by the construction of elaborate, wheel-shaped webs. As an abundant and beneficial predator, the Spotted Orbweaver plays a significant role in managing local insect populations.
Primary Prey and Dietary Preferences
The Spotted Orbweaver is a generalist predator, meaning its diet consists of a wide variety of arthropods that happen to become entangled in its silk trap. Its primary food source is flying insects, which it intercepts high above the ground during its nocturnal hunting period. Common prey items include various types of moths, house flies, mosquitoes, and smaller wasps. The spider’s strong, sticky web can also secure heavier insects, such as small beetles and caterpillars.
Female N. crucifera are formidable hunters, capable of capturing insects substantially larger and heavier than their own bodies. This broad dietary preference makes the species highly effective at pest control in both natural and urban settings. Studies indicate a single spider can process an average of around 12 insects within a 24-hour period, demonstrating a high rate of predation. The size of the spider’s own body ultimately limits the maximum size and strength of the insect it can successfully subdue and consume.
Hunting Strategies and Web Mechanics
The Spotted Orbweaver employs a passive yet highly effective hunting strategy centered on the construction of its namesake structure, the orb web. This intricate, circular web is typically built anew each evening at dusk, often spanning open pathways between trees or near man-made structures. The web can be quite large, with the orb portion frequently measuring up to two feet in diameter.
The spider hangs head-down in the center, or “hub,” patiently waiting for prey to strike the sticky spiral threads. It detects a capture through vibrations transmitted along the silk lines, which act as a signal wire to the hub. When daylight approaches, the spider dismantles its web, often consuming the silk to recycle the protein and moisture for the next night’s construction. During the day, the spider retreats to a safe, sheltered location, such as a rolled-up leaf or a crevice, to rest.
The Process of Feeding and Digestion
Once the spider detects a trapped insect, it quickly moves to secure the struggling prey. The first step is often to rapidly wrap the insect in silk pulled from the spider’s spinnerets, completely immobilizing it. This silk wrapping prevents the prey from escaping or causing damage to the web.
After the insect is secured, the spider delivers a paralyzing bite using its chelicerae, injecting a mild venom. The spider then initiates external digestion, a characteristic of many arachnids. Digestive enzymes are injected into the wrapped insect, which work to liquefy the prey’s internal tissues. The spider then sucks up this nutrient-rich liquid, leaving behind only the empty exoskeleton.