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Project Noah Nature School
Gaster Acantha
Spiny orb-weavers is a common name for Gasteracantha, a genus of spiders. They are also commonly called Spiny-backed orb-weavers, due to the prominent spines on their abdomen. These spiders can reach sizes of up to 30mm in diameter (measured from spike to spike). Although their shell is shaped like a crab shell with spikes, it is not to be confused with a crab spider. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiny_orb-w... Orb-weaver's bites are generally harmless to humans.
Spotted on Feb 6, 2012
Submitted on Feb 6, 2012
20 Comments
Thanks very much, injica!!
What an incredible spider! Great spotting! :)
Fascinante!!!
Argybee, you're right, it does look like a piñata. :)
Thank you Andrea for commenting.
If this was Mexican someone would beat it with a stick until the sweets fell out.
Nice set of pics.
Incredible!
Thank you Carol, that's wonderful!
I love this. I am sharing at my FB spider/nature group. Fantastic!
Wow, I just want to come to Florida to see these. Awesome!
Thanks very much, Satyen and Ashish!!
Great spotting..!!
Nice work Laurie..!!
Fantastic series.
Thanks for commenting, Michelle!
cool
Thanks Emma! I see them all over our yard here in Florida. This guy's (or gal's) web was very low, attached to a couple of palmetto palms so I was able to get up close and personal with this one.
Laurie ,awesome!
What are some good places to look for these?
Thank you Karen and Mary for your nice comments!
What a beauty!
Sure looks like what we call crab spiders here. wonderfully detailed photos.