Micrathena Breviceps

Also quite spectacular are the Micrathena genus spiders, such as this Micrathena breviceps, or spiny-bodied spider found in Costa Rica. This species' defense mechanism is described by naturalist Philip Davidson:

"With the naked eye they stand out due to the arrow-shaped body being colored bright yellow contrasting with a black background. This combination is highly visible. As you might expect, the spider may not be attracting attention to itself inviting predators to prey upon it. This is warning coloration also known as aposomatic coloration. Any bird naive enough to ignore those colors and try to eat what would otherwise appear to be a tasty morsel, will come to grief as the spines on the spiders body lodge in the bird’s bill. Despite its best efforts the extract it, the bird initially cannot. As it remains stuck the spider is issuing from its body a noxious, foul tasting secretion. The bird when it finally does rid itself of the vilest tasting food it has tried will then forever associate black and yellow with the woeful experience and will never consume anything sporting those colors again."

Conclusion

There are so many interesting facts about the spiny backed orb weaver and we have listed some things you need to know about them. so, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering about what the spiny baked orb weaver is all about, then you should look through our guide for a quick knowledge about them.

What ecosystem do spiny backed orb weaver live in?

Spiny backed orb weavers are mainly found on trees or in woodland areas. They can also be found in the citrus grove, shrubs or shrubby gardens.

Spiny backed orb weaver what do they eat?

They capture flying and even crawling insects and feed on them.

Is the spiny-backed orb weaver venomous?

No. Spiny backed orb weavers aren’t venomous or dangerous.

Spiny Backed Orb Weaver Bite: Is Their Bite Poisonous?

It is true that the spiny backed orb weaver can bite. But they aren’t aggressive creatures and they won’t just bite you for no reason. Usually, they tend to bite when they are picked up or when they are provoked.

Their bite isn’t even a serious issue as the bite doesn’t really cause a serious symptom. So, spiny backed orb weaver isn’t a dangerous or poisonous creature.

Matter of fact, they can be beneficial creatures as they are known to feed on flying and even crawling insects. So, they can help you clean up any unwanted flying or crawling insects around your yard. They usually prey on insects such as mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and the likes.

They often create or make their web in their preferred location such as leaves of trees, shrubs, citrus groves, and so on. They make their webs in these locations and wait until any small insects become trapped and they feed on them.

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Social (Media) Spiders

In the spider world, Spiny-backed Orb-Weavers are the social butterflies. You’ll often find several of them living in close proximity, creating a web-filled community that’s buzzing with activity. They’re not exactly chatting over coffee, but they do seem to enjoy the company.

Before we wrap up our spider-ific adventure, let’s hit you with some fun facts about these fascinating critters:

1. Wide Range: These spiders aren’t just Florida residents. You can find them throughout the southeastern United States, Central America, and even in parts of South America.
2. Short Lifespan: Spiny-backed Orb-Weavers live fast and die young. Their entire lifecycle—from egg to adult—lasts about a year. They pack a lot of living into a short amount of time!
3. Non-Aggressive: Despite their fierce appearance, these spiders are harmless to humans. They’re more interested in catching flies than biting people.
4. Architects of the Insect World: Their webs are engineering marvels, designed to maximize their catch with minimal effort. Each web is a work of art and a functional tool rolled into one.

So, there you have it! The Spiny-backed Orb-Weaver is a testament to the wonders of nature, combining beauty, function, and a touch of whimsy. Next time you’re out in the garden or wandering through the woods, keep an eye out for these colorful little architects. They’re proof that sometimes, the smallest creatures can leave the biggest impressions. Happy exploring!