Openfield Orbweaver

Photo of a female openfield orbweaver spider crouching on a plant stalk
Scientific Name
Araneus pratensis
Family
Araneidae (typical orb-weavers) in the order Araneae (spiders)
Description

The openfield orbweaver is a common nocturnal orb-weaving spider in Missouri. Learn more about the openfield orbweaver and other angulate and roundshouldered orbweavers (Araneus spp.) on their genus page.

Size
Length: about ¼ inch (not including the legs); males are smaller than females.
Media Gallery
Photo of a female openfield orbweaver spider crouching on a plant stalk
The openfield orbweaver, Araneus pratensis, is a common nocturnal orb-weaving spider in Missouri.
David Bruns
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Photo of a female openfield orbweaver spider crouching on a plant stalk
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.