Fauna
Arachnid

Shamrock Orbweaver

Araneus trifolium

Also known as Shamrock Spider

Shamrock orbweavers construct large, wheel-shaped webs strung across tall grasses, shrubs, and meadow edges to snag flying insects. Mature females swell dramatically by late summer and autumn, displaying striking abdominal color phases ranging from creamy white and pale yellow to rust orange, dark brown, and purplish red. By day, the spider usually hides inside a silk-lined curled leaf retreat at the web's margin, monitoring prey vibrations via a taut signal line.

OrbweaverAutumnalPredator
Shamrock Orbweaver reference1 / 7
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrasshoppers, Moths, Flies
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Mud dauber wasps
  • Shrews
ThreatsHabitat loss from broad pesticide use and destruction of meadow vegetation.
HabitatsMeadows, old fields, marshes, forest clearings, and overgrown gardens.
Life spanApproximately 1 year
Classification
  1. FamilyAraneidae
  2. SpeciesAraneus trifolium
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
Docile and non-aggressive; bites are extremely rare, harmless, and safe to observe up close.
Responsible observation
  • Search foliage margins: Look for folded or curled leaves at the edge of the web where the spider hides during bright daylight.
  • Nighttime viewing: Visit webs after dusk with a flashlight to observe the spider actively hanging in the central hub.
  • Avoid disturbing silk anchors: Walk carefully through tall grasses so supporting silk lines remain intact.
Related species
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