Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona domiciliorum
This record describes Neoscona domiciliorum (species). Recorded family: Araneidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
More brightly colored than Neoscona crucifera , and with the part of the legs closest to the body bright red. Females have a bright white or grayish yellow abdominal dorsum, with lateral wide, black stripes on each side. (University of Florida) In N. crucifera , the second tibia of the male has two rows of clasping macrosetae ( N. domiciliorum has three rows) and the epigynal scape (part of the female genitalia) has two pairs of bulges (versus one pair in N. domiciliorum ). (University of Florida) female N. crucifera & N. domiciliorum build their webs at dusk and then take the webs back down around dawn. (Kaston 1976).
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
" N. domiciliorum occurs southeast of a line drawn from Massachusetts to Indiana southwest to Texas." (UF) domiciliorum - AL, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WV
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin: "of dwellings", genitive plural form of domicilium- "dwelling place" Author of the name: Hentz. Year first published: 1847.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Neoscona domiciliorum. 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 Spotted Orbweaver (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by cotinis , Hannah Nendick-Mason , Phillip Harpootlian , Lynette Elliott , Chris Wirth , cheins , Chuck Entz
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotted Orbweaver
What is Spotted Orbweaver?
Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona domiciliorum) is a species in the family Araneidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Spotted Orbweaver?
7.2 - 16.2 mm (female) 8 - 9 mm (male)
How do you identify Spotted Orbweaver?
More brightly colored than Neoscona crucifera , and with the part of the legs closest to the body bright red. Females have a bright white or grayish yellow abdominal dorsum, with lateral wide, black stripes on each side. (University of Florida) In N. crucifera , the second tibia of the male has two rows of clasping macrosetae ( N. domiciliorum has three rows) and the epigynal scape (part of the female genitalia) has two pairs of bulges (versus one pair in N. domiciliorum ). (University of Florida) female
Where is Spotted Orbweaver found?
Range: N. domiciliorum occurs southeast of a line drawn from Massachusetts to Indiana southwest to Texas. (UF) domiciliorum - AL, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WV