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What Is This Monster Spider With Spikes On Back?

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This spider is a monster! With spikes on its back, it is not something you would want to encounter while hiking in the woods. This spider is mistaken for a tarantula and is the largest spider found in North America. Although they are not aggressive and will usually only bite humans if provoked, their venom can be quite harmful.

What is This Monster Spider With Spikes on Back?

What is This Monster Spider With Spikes on its Back

The Oriental Spiny Orb-Weaver Spider is a common name for the Gasteracantha genus of spiders. This spider is found throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.

They are identifiable by their bright colors and spiky backs. These spiders are generally considered harmless to humans but should be avoided just in case.

This spider is a member of the orb-weaver family, and its common name is due to the prominent spines or spikes on its abdomen. They typically have a brown or gray color and can grow up to 1.5 inches long.

Female spiders of this species tend to be larger in size than males, and they build webs near the ground to catch prey such as insects, lizards, and frogs.

This giant spider has a body that can grow up to 30mm in diameter (measured from spike to spike). It is called the weaver spider because it weaves webs to catch prey.

These webs are often seen in gardens and other outdoor areas, as they build them in bushes and trees. The orb-web is a spiral wheel-shaped web that the spider uses to trap its prey.

The spider with spikes on the back is an apt reference term for the Gasteracantha genus of spiders, as they are easily identifiable by the spikes that run down their backs.

Interestingly, these spikes have a function beyond simply looking scary- they actually help to protect the spiders from predators.

What does the Spiny Orb-Weaver look like?

The spiny-back orb-weaver spider is easily distinguished from other orb-weavers by its colorful body. It has a black body with red, yellow, and white markings on its back.

Interestingly, male spiders are usually smaller than their female counterparts and have fewer spines on their backs. On the other hand, female spiders typically have larger spines.

Furthermore, the top of its abdomen is brightly colored with typically white, black, and red markings.

Where are spiny orb-weaver spiders found?

Spiky orb-weavers are found all over the world, but they are particularly common in southern states. They can often be spotted in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and gardens.

Orb weaver spider, Satara, Maharashtra, India

However, they are commonly found around houses and nurseries near citrus groves. They get their name from the spiny protrusions on their back that they use to ward off predators.

What do spiny orb weavers eat?

Spiky orb-weavers are a type of spider that has spikes on its back. They are also known as crab spiders because of the way they walk. These spiders eat small insects and can be found all over the world.

They are also known for their spiny backs, which help them ward off predators. These spiders typically eat moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and flies.

How to know if I have an infestation of the spiny orb-weaver spider habitat?

territory solenopsis spiny

The spiny orb-weaver spider is a large, black spider that is found throughout Florida. They are frequently mistaken for tarantulas because of their size and the spikes on their back.

These spiders build webs in trees and bushes and can be difficult to get rid of once they have properly established themselves in an area.

These spiders are indigenous to North America and can mostly be found in the southeastern United States. They build their webs on the sides of houses, barns, sheds, and other man-made structures. While they are not harmful to humans, their bites can be quite painful.

In addition, spiny orb-weavers produce ovate egg sacs on the underside of leaves and sometimes near their webs. If you’re seeing an increasing number of spiders around your home, it’s likely that you have an infestation and should reach out to a professional for help.

Furthermore, if you have spotted a spiny orb-weaver spider, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an infestation. The spiders are notorious for their web-spinning and can lay hundreds of eggs at once.

However, before multiple reproduction cycles take place, the infestation is often handled by professionals.

How do spiny orb weavers reproduce?

The species of spiny orb weaver is a spider that is found throughout the United States. They are easily identifiable by their spiny back and red coloring. Female spiders can be found throughout the year but are most common in October-January when they are mating.

The female spiny orb weaver produces an egg sac in the summer or fall that contains 100-260 eggs. The eggs tend to hatch in the spring, and the spiderlings disperse soon afterward.

The eggs of spiny orb weavers take about eleven to thirteen days to hatch, and the spiderlings disperse within two weeks. The mother spider does not care for her young spiders, and they disperse as soon as they are hatched.

Where can you find their webs?

These spikey orb-weaver spiders can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, fields, and forests.

They do not normally enter homes but can be brought inside with potted plants and other outside items. They are known for their large webs that they spin in order to catch prey.

What are the other names used to refer to the spider with spikes on the back?

The spider with spikes on its back is also known under the following common names: crab-like orb weaver spider, jewel (face) spider, spiny-bellied orb weaver, and smiley face spider.

Additional popular names used to refer to the spider with spikes on its back are:

How to get rid of a spider with spikes on its back?

spider

Spiders with spikes on their back, also known as orb weaver spiders, can be difficult to get rid of. They are typically found outdoors and build their webs in trees and other high places.

To get rid of these spiders, you can try to remove their food sources and webs. You can also use pesticides or other methods to kill them.

In addition, if you are finding spiders with spikes on their backs in your home, you can try changing your exterior lights to ‘bug lights,’ which will deter the spiders from coming back. Alternatively, you can use a spray that will keep them away.

Additional methods include spraying the spiders with soapy water, vacuuming them up, and using sticky traps. If these methods do not work, you may need to call a professional exterminator.

Summary

Now you are well aware of what a monster spider with spikes on the back is. These spiders are none other than the spiny orb weaver spider. They are poisonous and can be aggressive towards us humans if given the reason. And thus, it is recommended to maintain the required distance from these creatures.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.