Tropical Orb Weaver

Females vary from 12-24 mm in length and from nearly white to nearly black in color. Typically in Florida, females have a mostly reddish-brown cephalothorax and legs, with darker femora (Figure 1). The dorsum of the abdomen is gray to brown. The venter of the abdomen has a black triangular mark pointing posteriorly; this mark is surrounded by gray laterally and by white anteriorly and posteriorly (Levi 1970). In life, the anterior lateral corners of the abdomen are sometimes bright yellow; unfortunately, this color fades to gray after lengthy preservation in alcohol. The integument is covered with white setae, especially on the carapace and legs.