Orchard Orbweaver

Description:

Slightly elongated abdomen marked with silver, yellow, black, green, and bright orange or pink spots. Spins its web at an angle and hangs in the center.The underside has a large yellow to orange smile-shaped spot and the end of the abdomen is often filled with many variously colored and sized spots, giving an overall sense of color and not black.

Habitat:

Beside the Christmas trail at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

Notes:

Often mistaken for Black Widow spiders or the similar (and also dangerous) Brown Widow, Venusta Orchard Spiders are not harmful and if left alone, will remain as happy as they appear.