Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2160163

Cat-faced Orbweaver

Araneus gemmoides

Also known as Jewel Spider, Cat-faced Spider

Cat-faced orbweavers earn their common name from two prominent ear-like projections on the upper abdomen, giving females the faint silhouette of a feline head. These industrious nocturnal spiders construct large, wheel-shaped orb webs near outdoor light sources, porch eaves, and shrubs to capture night-flying pests. Females lay a single woolly egg sac in autumn before dying, leaving the next generation to emerge each spring.

Web WeaverNocturnalGarden Friend
Cat-faced Orbweaver reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Moths
  • Flies
  • Mosquitoes
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Mud Dauber Wasps
  • Lizards
ThreatsPesticide application, severe early frosts
HabitatsGardens, porch overhangs, woodpiles, building exteriors
Life span1 year
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyAraneidae
  3. GenusAraneus
  4. SpeciesAraneus gemmoides
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observe at Night: Look around outdoor porch lights after sunset where females construct wide spiral webs.
  • Protect Egg Sacs: Leave golden silk egg sacs untouched in roof eaves so spiderlings can hatch in spring.
  • Avoid Squeezing: Bites are very rare and mild, occurring only if the spider is pinched or crushed.
Related species
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