Complete Guide To The Hentz Orb Weaver Spider

Hentz Orb Weaver Spider Notes

• Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders are nocturnal. During the day, they hide in vegetation or up under the eaves of buildings and the planks of wooden fences.
• These orb weavers build huge webs that can span an area 36 inches by 44 inches (91.44 cm x 111.76 cm) (Adams 2000, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007771332721).
  • The webs hang from tree branches and are anchored to the ground, with the webs’ orbs suspended 3-4 feet above the ground.
  • Female Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders spin new webs every evening to repair damage and prepare for the night’s hunting.
• Look for Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders in deciduous forests, open woodlands, and throughout North Carolina suburbs.
  • These spiders are some of the most common large orbweaver spiders found living near humans.
    • Unlike many animal species, Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders may benefit from the presence of humans.
    • They are especially common in the vegetation around porch and street lights as they appear sensitive to lighted areas that may attract more flying insects than darker areas.
      • A study conducted by M. R. Adams published in the Journal of Insect Behavior showed that Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders select areas with the most light in which to construct their webs and build their webs faster in lighted areas.
      • Flying insects are attracted to artificial lights, and Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders feed on flying insects captured by their sticky webs.
      • By preferentially building their webs every night in lighted areas, Hentz Orb Weaver Spiders reduce the energy they must expend to find sufficient food (Adams 2000, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007771332721).