December 16, 2024

I am a Spinybacked Orbweaver

My spikes and back colors vary widely

My spikes:  red or black

I've white or yellow on my back

But my underside varies only slightly.

The female shape and colors can vary by geography. I've seen black spiked white Spiny Orbweavers now and then in FL, but I haven't seen many of the black spiked yellow ones. 

Location: Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, Harlingen, TX

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M

I am a Spinybacked Orbweaver

Depending on where I reside - 

My spines can be black or red and

The dorsum of my abdomen can be yellow or white.

If you get on the other side of my web

You can see my underside

This is where my spinnerets are

Which is where I get my silk supply.

Location: Private residence, Blountston, FL

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/g_cancriformis.htm

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 22, 2023

I'm a  female Crab-like Spiny Orbweaver

And here I am displaying my tummy

Look close, you can see my spinneret -

I use it to make a web for me and my honey.

Location: Joe Michael Memorial Trail, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 15, 2023

I am a female Spinybacked Orbweaver

I'm easy to spot with my big red spines

My mate is quite a bit smaller than I

And he doesn't have spines like mine.

Note: Check out the bugguide link below - I've never actually seen a male Spinybacked Orbweaver before.

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/g_cancriformis.htm

https://bugguide.net/node/view/457460

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 14, 2023

I am a female Spinybacked Orbweaver, 

My man's not around right now

But he will be here 

Mating time of year

Hanging from a strand of my web's where he'll be found.

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/g_cancriformis.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 16, 2022

I am a female Spinybacked Orbweaver

I lay eggs from October through January

My babies are tiny and hang from a single web strand But get big in time for the photo in their high school annuary.

Location: Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/g_cancriformis.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 17, 2022

I am a Spinybacked Orbweaver

Shown here from the top and the bottom

Below, you can can see my spinneret

It isn't an "innie" belly button.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/g_cancriformis.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 5, 2021

I am a Spinybacked Orbweaver

I usually live in trees or in shrubs

My venom is not toxic to humans

But it is to other smaller bugs.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 25, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a female Spinybacked Orbweaver
My mate looks much different from me
He's much smaller with a gray abdomen
This is sexual dimorphism that's easy to see.

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures Spinybacked Orbweaver

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson