Marbled+Orb+Weaver

=Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus)= Fig 1: //Araneus marmoreus// climbing a twig.


 * Taxonomy**
 * Kingdom: //Animalia//
 * Phylum: Arthropoda
 * Class: Arachnida
 * Order: Araneae
 * Family: Araneidae
 * Genus: Araneus
 * Species: marmoreus


 * Adult Size:** 6 mm - 18 mm in length
 * Identifying Colors:** orange; yellow; black; brown; white

The genus //Araneus// is the largest of all spider subdivisions with 1,500 species worldwide (1). //Araneus marmoreus// is known from Canada to Alaska, from Minnesota to Oklahoma, and as far east as the Atlantic Ocean (2). Marbled orb weaver spiders are known for having elaborate markings on their abdomens.

The coloration of //Araneus marmoreus// is highly variable. Any combination of orange, brown, or off-white abdomens with or without purple markings are observed within the species. The leg segments of female //Araneus marmoreus// are yellow, transitioning to brown at the tips, while the legs of the males are brown all the way through. Dark lines run down the center and sides of the spider's cephalothorax (1). The females are typically larger than the males, with adults ranging from 9 mm - 20 mm in length (2).
 * Description**

The spiders prefer a moist environment and are frequently found along the banks of streams. The webs are built in trees, bushes, and tall grasses near water sources. The webs are oriented vertically, with a "signal" thread of silk anchored to the center to alert the spider that prey has been captured. In addition to spinning webs, marbled orb weavers are known to hide in recluses of leaves held together with silk (2).
 * Life History/Behavior**

This species preys largely on flying insects it captures in its web. Not unlike other orb weavers, //Araneus marmoreus// is not known to bite humans (3).

There are no known medical uses for //Araneus marmoreus//. The genus of spiders is generally not very dangerous to humans--their bites only successfully administer venom about 20% of the time (2).
 * Human Impact**

Created by Stuart, M.

1. Jacobs, Steve. "Marbled Orbweaver Spider." Entomology (Penn State University). The Pennsylvania State University, Mar. 2002. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. .
 * References**

2. Writer, Staff. "Marbled Orb Weaver." Insectidentification.org. Insect Identification, 5 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. .

3. Bradley, Richard. "Araneus Marmoreus Information." Araneus Marmoreus Information. Ohio State University, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. .


 * Photo(s)**

Figure 1: Photo of //Araneus marmoreus:// Marvin. "Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus Marmoreus)." Elmost Report: Nature in the Ozarks. Blogspot, 24 Oct. 2009. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .