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Spiny orb-weaver, spinybacked orbweaver,

Gasteracantha cancriformis

Description:

Spiny, crab like in appearance. Females 5-9mm long and 10-13mm wide. Males 2-3mm long and a small amount shorter in width. 6 abdominal spines. Different colors. Most have white spot on underside. Some may also have colored legs.

Habitat:

Trees or around trees on shrubs. Temperate; Tropical; terrestrial

Notes:

Ecosystem role: Preys on small insects/pests. Helps control overpopulation of such insects. Can bite. Spines can puncture skin if handles wrong. Information above taken from Animal Diversity Web- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

1 Species ID Suggestions

gatorfellows
gatorfellows 10 years ago
Spinybacked Orbweaver
Gasteracantha cancriformis Species Gasteracantha cancriformis - Spinybacked Orbweaver - BugGuide.Net


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IslandAdventure
Spotted by
IslandAdventure

United States Virgin Islands, United States Virgin Islands

Spotted on Jun 9, 2013
Submitted on Jun 11, 2013

Spotted for Mission

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