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Cat-Faced Spider
Scientific Name:
Araneus gemmoides
Type:
Invertebrate
Habitat:
Arid, mountainous states like Nevada, as well as more humid states with lots of vegetation like Washington and Minnesota
Range:
Western to midwestern North America
Status:
No listed status
This species is
NATIVE
to the Truckee Meadows.
Identification:
Cat-faced spiders can vary significantly in color as indicated by photos. The colors range from a light beige color to a darker gray-brown color. Female cat-faced spiders can vary in color depending on whether they are feeding or overwintering. Cat-faced spiders have two bumps and dimple-like features on their round abdomens. Along with other abdomen markings, these features give the impression of a cat face. Female cat-faced spiders are twice as big as males, with the females being up to 25 millimeters long. A female cat-faced spider can produce an egg sack that may be many times larger than her own body.
Fast Facts:
Cat-faced spiders (gemmoides) are also known as “monkey-faced spiders.”
These spiders are valued by gardeners since they eat many insects that can cause problems in the garden.
Cat-faced spiders are not considered dangerous to humans.
Cat-faced spiders are considered orb weaver spiders.
Per individual observer reports, cat-faced spiders have been spotted in the Galena area, as well as Spanish Springs in places where there is an abundance of insects, whether it is in a park or near a residence.
Sources:
BugGuide, Iowa State University, website 2021. https://bugguide.net/node/view/33149
Cat Faced Spider, Department of entomology, Washington State University, 2021. https://entomology.wsu.edu/outreach/bug-info/cat-face/
Cat faced spider, Western Plains Orbweaver, website 2021. http://www.wci.colostate.edu/Assets/pdf/Cat-FacedSpiderOct16.pdf
Image: Mike Lewinski, https://www.flickr.com/photos/ikewinski/29518010207/in/photolist-2aE4J6L-LYpw3t-LYpxcn-LRw8g4-2aJnnPc-585CP-586Jy-KoxWU5-274jBxY-5C77d-2h9n5Lj-2aJnnSP-2aJnija-2iJ91NG-2iJ6ibE-2iJ6idy-2iJ91TS-MEwm1p-2aJnhF6-HxcmQ7-2h9n6ce-585CK-zoKfc9-yHpZWC-274jBDE-55Mdk-pWbyhY-pWjr1K-pgKhzs-qdykic-pgKhtq-fvNn7B-fw3Dm1-fvNndr, license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, cropped from original.
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Caron Tayloe (research & content)
Rachel Carroll (edits & page design)