Family: Araneidae, Orb Weavers view all from this family

Description Male 1/16-1/8" (2-3 mm), female 3/8" (8-10 mm). Abdomen broad, hard, spiny with 2 sharp points on each side and 2 at rear. Cephalothorax reddish black. Abdomen pale to orange or yellow with reddish-black oval spots above and reddish spines; below black with small yellow spots.

Food Small insects.

Web Vertical orb with few or no spiral strands near center.

Life Cycle Spider stands head downward near center of web, which is spun anew each night. Egg mass is produced late in year, then female dies. Eggs or spiderlings overwinter. Spiderlings disperse and begin web weaving in spring.

Habitat Woodland edges and shrubby gardens.

Range North Carolina to Florida, west to California.

Discussion The male is smaller than the female and seldom noticed. Formerly known as G. cancriformis.