Sixspotted Orbweaver
Araniella displicata
This record describes Araniella displicata (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The possession of three (rarely four) pairs of small black spots on the abdominal dorsum is somewhat diagnostic for this species (Sacher, 1990). Females Males Juveniles Egg Sacs Palp
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
The published range for this species ranges from Nova Scotia west to Alaska and south in the eastern portion of its range to North Carolina and south to California and New Mexico in the west (but absent from the southern Great Plains). Citizen scientists here on BugGuide have found this species may occur more widely.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name Hentz. Year first published: 1847. Latin for "scattered, dispersed" Gender: Feminine
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Araniella displicata. 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 Sixspotted Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , smccann27 , Chuck Entz , kschnei , Harsi S. Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Sixspotted Orbweaver
What is Sixspotted Orbweaver?
Sixspotted Orbweaver (Araniella displicata) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Sixspotted Orbweaver?
The possession of three (rarely four) pairs of small black spots on the abdominal dorsum is somewhat diagnostic for this species (Sacher, 1990). Females Males Juveniles Egg Sacs Palp
Where is Sixspotted Orbweaver found?
Range: The published range for this species ranges from Nova Scotia west to Alaska and south in the eastern portion of its range to North Carolina and south to California and New Mexico in the west (but absent from the southern Great Plains). Citizen scientists here on BugGuide have found this species may occur more widely.