Spiny-backed Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
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While it is not a particularly large spider, growing only to about ½ inch in width, the Spiny-backed Orbweaver is easily recognized. These spiders build large, finely structured webs, and can usually be found sitting in the center. The webs may be just a few feet off the ground to high in the trees. The spiders also spend a lot of time repairing their webs after they are damaged by snared insects.
This orbweaver, also sometimes called a crab spider (although no relation to the family of true crab spiders) because of the shape of its spiny abdomen, comes in several color phases. The spiders don't change colors, but are simply that hue their whole lives. The most common form is white with black spines. In our area, there are also yellow, orange, and red versions. There is one other variation that doesn't seem to occur here in Austin, which has a white body and large red spines.
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The orange phase Spiny-backed Orbweaver shown below is feasting on a small ichneumon wasp. These spiders are one of the few species that can sometimes be seen throughout the winter here in Austin, becoming active whenever the temperature is above freezing.
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class: Arachnida / order: Araneae / family: Araneidae / genus: Gasteracantha / species: cancriformis
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