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Spinybacked Orbweaver

Gasteracantha cancriformis

Photo by Tukup
Published on Project Noah
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30.8, -94.5

Field Notes

Description:

This is one of the smaller orbweavers measuring a mere ¼-⅓ inch (5-9 mm). The abdomen has 6 spines radiating outward laterally. The body is black but the disc-shaped back is white with black spots. The spines are also black however may be red in other locations..

Habitat:

This spider was found between trees in a pine forest in SE Texas (90 masl).

Notes:

I’ve always thought these were the cutest of the spiders and not at all aggressive. A neat little critter.

Reference Links:

Gasteracantha cancriformis - Wikipedia, spinybacked orbweaver spider - Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Tukup
Thanks Mark. The little ones are cute and the tarantulas are big enough I think of them more as rodents, not spiders 😊 Most are harmless so I'm okay with them.
Mark Ridgway
Yes too small to intimidate people so into the cute basket. Good ventral shot.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Biodiversity of Texas
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Texas Wildlife Photographers
Mission
Oklahoma and Texas Wildlife

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Photographed
PublishedNovember 21, 2021

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