Araneus marmoreus
Encyclopedia
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.
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
belonging to the family Araneidae. It has a Holarctic
Holarctic
The Holarctic ecozone refers to the habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world as a whole. This region is divided into the Palearctic, consisting of Northern Africa and all of Eurasia, with the exception of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and the Nearctic,...
distribution.
Two main forms of this species are known. The nominate form has an orange abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
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
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, 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.
Spider web
A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web or cobweb is a device built by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets....
is built low down in heathland and in woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
clearings.