The Spiny Orb Weaver is one of the most distinctive spiders in North America, with a crab-like, hard-shelled white abdomen bearing bright red, yellow, or black spots and six sharp, spiny projections around its perimeter. Its function is unknown but may deter birds from damaging the web. It builds large, ornate orb webs with decorative tufts in shrubs and trees of the Southeast.
Best time to see a Spiny Orb Weaver
The best time to see a Spiny Orb Weaver is May–October, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 29,355 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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