White Micrathena

Description:

A small, armored orb weaver with a white abdomen decorated with red spots and lines. These spiders, as well as other Micrathena species, build their webs across trails to catch small insects to feed upon. Hikers often run face first into these webs, which can be a very unpleasant experience, especially if one doesn't like spiders.

Habitat:

Woodland habitat at Bellevue State Park along the Mississippi River.

Notes:

This is a new species for me. Luckily, I did not run into this one's web, as it was draped off to the side of the trail. This is the smallest of the three species in my area.