NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS - New Spider ID launching Summer 2025 - Learn more here.

Gasteracantha cancriformis
(Spiny-backed Orb-weaver)

Picture ID 198782

Picture of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver)

Comments & ID Thoughts

This is an orb weaver I found in my front yard. Not sure what kind exactly, though.

1 Comment
oldest
newest most voted
TangledWeb

These Spiny-backed Orbweavers are cute little spiders with pointy spines to help them avoid being eaten. The undersides look like the night sky with stars if you look from below. They may bounce UV light to be seen by each other at night. I bought a little UV flashlight recently to see which bugs glow with it. Unfortunately I didn’t have it when I visited southern states and saw these spiders. Their webs have little fuzzy spots that can be seen in your photo.

Additional Pictures

Picture of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver) Enlarge Picture
Picture of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver) - Webs Enlarge Picture
Picture of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver) Enlarge Picture
Picture of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb-weaver) Enlarge Picture