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The Orbweaver Spider (Larinioides suspicax), also known as the Furrow Orb-Weaver or Flying Spider, is a Holartic orb-weaver spider found in temperate regions, particularly near water, where it builds orb webs on bridges and other man-made structures to catch flying insects. This nocturnal hunter is generally harmless to humans and is characterized by a large, oval abdomen, and a distinctive arrow-shaped pattern on its carapace.
Appearance: They have large, oval, bulbous abdomens and can be black, grey, or red. A common feature is a lighter-shaded arrow pointing towards the cephalothorax on the carapace, and similar arrow patterns can be seen on the legs.
Size: Females are typically 6–14 mm long, and males are 5–9 mm, with leg spans from 18 to 35 mm.
Eyes: They possess a horizontal row of six eyes, with an additional pair above the center of the row.
Senses: While they lack ears, they can detect sound using specialized hairs on their legs.
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Location: Primarily found near water, such as rivers and lakes, and are frequently seen on bridges.
Webs: They construct intricate orb webs, which can be asymmetrical, especially in adults. The web structure may be more pronounced in heavier, older spiders.
Hunting: As skilled nocturnal predators, they hunt flying insects like flies and butterflies. Their webs are often positioned to capture prey over water bodies.
Venom: Their venom is not dangerous to humans; a bite is unlikely to cause serious harm.
Diet: Their primary diet consists of smaller flying insects.
