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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Orb Weavers (Araneidae) » Araneus » Cat-Faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides)
Photo#447399
What type of spider is this? - Araneus gemmoides
Copyright © 2010 Casey

What type of spider is this? - Araneus gemmoides
belgrade, gallatin County, Montana, USA
August 25, 2010
Size: nickle? bigger?
This spider is located outside on my porch. I've never seen this type of spider before, as I have moved to Montana from Nevada/California. I was just curious if this spider is a type I need to worry about. I'm not really a fan of spiders, but this one I find really interesting, and would like to know about it. Like if it's poisonous, or if it jumps, or comes after people. I have a few more photos of him/her if anyone needs to see more. Oh, and I took this at night. Lol, but I do have some day photos as well. Wasn't sure if the flash of his/her body will make it harder to tell what type it is. He/she is a little bigger than a nickel with its legs. But I could be wrong, as I don't want it to jump on me if it can.
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Contributed by Casey on 26 August, 2010 - 7:19pm
Last updated 9 September, 2010 - 9:31am

Moved
Moved from Araneus. Barn spiders, which look similar are only found in the Eastern US. I believe in your area gemmoides is the most likely ID.
… Lynette Elliott, 9 September, 2010 - 9:31am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Lynette Elliott, 9 September, 2010 - 9:29am login or register to post comments

Yes, female orb weaver
in the genus Araneus. Let's see what Lynette says since she spends time in Montana and may recognize it.
… john and jane balaban, 27 August, 2010 - 5:08pm login or register to post comments

thanks
Thank you. That helps. It is a very interesting looking spider. And I love the webs it creates. It does sit close to the door of our house. So at night we don't get as many moths in the house as we used to, for we leave the door open for a little at night to let some cool air come through.
… Casey, 27 August, 2010 - 3:06pm login or register to post comments

orb weaver
It's definitely an orb weaver spider. Possibly even a Barn Spider:

but wait for an expert (which I am not at all)

Orb weavers generally do not jump. It certainly will not come after you. If you were to pick it up and handle it roughly it could bite and the bite would hurt, but unless you were allergic to the venom (very rare) you'd be fine. This is not a necrotizing-venom spider like the brown recluse. If you walk blindly through its web it could accidentally land on you and could even bite if it felt threatened, but it would vastly prefer to just run away and leave you alone. It eats lots of annoying bugs like flies. Makes pretty webs. I'd let it be.
… Sara Rall , 26 August, 2010 - 7:37pm login or register to post comments

 
Totally agree...
They are actually really nice to have around your doors because they act like living fly paper! The ones around my doors keep mosquitoes at bay very nicely.
… Cassie Novak, 27 August, 2010 - 10:09am login or register to post comments

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