Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2160163
Cat-faced Orbweaver
Araneus gemmoidesAlso 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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyAraneidae
- GenusAraneus
- SpeciesAraneus gemmoides
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Close Relative (c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Dawn Nelson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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