Insect Order (Araneae)
ARANEAE (SPIDERS)
Araneae, comprising spiders, are one of the most intimidating orders of insects to the casual observer. This predatory group is made up of roughly 3,400 species in the United States and Canada. Some are webspinners while others are not, and some are completely harmless (and beneficial) while others are not. Classic examples of spiders include garden-loving Orb Weavers, the common House Spider, the identifiable Black Widow, the mighty Wolf Spider, and the venomous Brown Recluse. Eight legs typically differentiate Araneae insects from other orders.
Taxonomy
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Neoscona arabesca.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Neoscona
Species: arabesca
Characteristics
Helpful: Known for its generally helpful-to-human qualities.
Nocturnal: Most likely to be spotted during night time hours.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Eight-Legged: Eight legs are common to this insect.
Spiny / Spiky: Noticeable spikes apparent on the body.
Webspinner: Known to spin its own web; resides in a web.
Description
The Arabesque Orbweaver has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
white gray grey black brown beige eight-legged web outdoors night dusk spikes spiky helpful
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Arabesque Orbweaver. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.20 inches
(5 mm)
Highest-High:
0.28 inches
(7 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Arabesque Orbweaver. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Arabesque Orbweaver can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Arabesque Orbweaver Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Arabesque Orbweaver spider insect.; Credit: Brandy L., United States.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
