Cross Orb Weaver makes a leaf house - Ask Extension
I have a very large cross orb weaver that is living in my front flower bed. This is the second year we have had such a large "tater tot" spider, as we...
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Cross Orb Weaver makes a leaf house #725813
Asked September 21, 2020, 2:47 PM EDT
I have a very large cross orb weaver that is living in my front flower bed. This is the second year we have had such a large "tater tot" spider, as we call them. Both years the largest spider has created a leaf shelter for themselves that they retreat to during the day. I cannot seem to find any articles describing this phenomenon so I thought I would ask you - is it common for these spiders to create their own leaf shelters/homes? It is specifically for the large garden cross spiders.
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for thinking of us for your garden questions and I like the nickname you gave your spider!
Yes this is commonly seen behavior to hide in a rolled up leaf for shelter and safety and to ambush their pray!
Read more here: https://www.wildlifeheritage.org/orb-weaver-spider/
the article describes Daytime/Nighttime Activities:
Yes this is commonly seen behavior to hide in a rolled up leaf for shelter and safety and to ambush their pray!
Read more here: https://www.wildlifeheritage.org/orb-weaver-spider/
the article describes Daytime/Nighttime Activities:
Orb weavers are typically nocturnal. During the day, the spider will prefer to either sit motionless in the web or move off the web. If the spider moves off the web (but does not abandon it), she will be nearby in some cover (rolled up leaves, or on a branch) with a trap line nearby. If prey becomes ensnared in the web, the trap line will vibrate, indicating a possible meal. The spider will investigate; if it is “meal worthy”, she will bite it to immobilize it, and wrap it with silk to either eat later, or to continue to subdue the meal while eating. If the trapped insect is not meal worthy, she will ignore it or eject it from the web.
