Araneus marmoreus

Araneus marmoreus
Araneus m. marmoreus (nominate)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Araneomorphae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Araneus
Species: A. marmoreus
Binomial name
Araneus marmoreus
Clerck, 1757

Araneus marmoreus, commonly called the marbled orb-weaver is a species of spider belonging to the family Araneidae. It has a Holarctic distribution.

Two main forms of this species are known. The nominate form has an orange abdomen with black or brown marbling while var. pyramidatus is much paler, sometimes almost white, with a single dark blotch towards the rear of the abdomen. The nominate form is found throughout the species' range while var. pyramidatus is found only in Europe, where the two varieties are seldom found together. The female has a body length (excluding legs) of up to 14 mm while the male is rather smaller at 9 mm.

The web is built low down in heathland and in woodland clearings.

References