Spinybacked Orbweaver

Identification and habitat

The spiny-backed orb weaver has a broad, hardened abdomen with prominent spines; females are much more conspicuous than males. It places an orb web across gaps in vegetation. Body colour varies, so the abdominal structure and other identification characters matter more than colour alone.

Feeding and life cycle

Its web intercepts small flying insects. Species-level studies describe web construction and reproduction, including a roughly annual life cycle in the Florida population studied. That seasonal schedule must not be transferred directly to Kauaʻi's climate without local observations.

Ecological interpretation

Prey capture establishes a predatory role, but no quantified effect on Kauaʻi native insects is asserted here. Egg sacs, juvenile webs, and identified prey would help establish local reproductive timing and ecological relationships.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Gasteracantha cancriformis

Common names

Spinybacked Orbweaver

Family

Araneidae

Order

Araneae

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) belongs to Araneidae in the order Araneae. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Identification and habitat — species source
• Feeding and life cycle — species source