Starbellied Orbweaver
Acanthepeira stellata
This record describes Acanthepeira stellata (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Acanthepeira stellata, known generally as the starbellied orbweaver or starbellied spider, is a species of orb weaver in the spider family Araneidae. It is found in a range from Canada to Mexico.
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Wikipedia reference for Acanthepeira stellata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthepeira stellata.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sunny areas, usually within four feet of the ground in an orb web built in the vertical position.
Geographic Range
Maine south to Florida and west to Manitoba and Arizona (as well as much of Mexico)
Seasonal Activity
Mar-Nov (BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Acanthepeira stellata (Walckenaer, 1805) Latin for "starred" from stella- "star"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Acanthepeira stellata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Starbellied Orbweaver (8)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Starbellied Orbweaver
What is Starbellied Orbweaver?
Starbellied Orbweaver (Acanthepeira stellata) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Starbellied Orbweaver?
Female 7 to 15 mm Male 5 to 8 mm
How do you identify Starbellied Orbweaver?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Starbellied Orbweaver found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sunny areas, usually within four feet of the ground in an orb web built in the vertical position. |
| Range | Maine south to Florida and west to Manitoba and Arizona (as well as much of Mexico) |
When is Starbellied Orbweaver active?
Starbellied Orbweaver: seasonal activity - Mar-Nov (BG data).