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Orb weaver - Araneidae
Identifying natural enemies > spiders > orb weaver
Adults: Immense range of size and color patterns. Often have large spherical abdomens. Among the largest spiders found in the North Central United States, with body lengths of up to 1 inch. Length 13-26 mm.

Diet/web: Produce a large, orb-shaped web to catch prey. Use vibra-tional cues to locate trapped prey. Webs made by orb weavers are very organized and resemble a circular grid.

Orb weaver Orb weaver web
Orb weaver Web
 
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This information was developed for the publication Identifying Natural Enemies in Field Crops by Mary Gardiner, Christina DiFonzo, Michael Brewer and Takuji Noma, MSU Extension bulletin E2949.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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12/21/06