Shamrock Spider - Araneus trifolium

shamrock orb weaver

I live right outside of Flint, Michigan and I found one of these spiders outside in the corner of my mothers garage door. I saw the web from pretty far away and I went up to see if there was a spider in it and I found one of these. My brother knocked it down and put it in a jar. I am going to try and get a picture with the digital camera before we let it go. If I do I'll send it. Its really ugly. It give me the quivers. I was just wondering if it is poisonus?

… pinky, 11 September, 2005 - 5:31pm

Shamrock Orb Weaver

I found one of these in my classroom in Orwell, Vermont. Probably came in with the house plants from outside. I'd never seen one before. QUite beautiful. I've been doing research. It is not poisonous, and it tasty when roasted. It is venomous with a reaction similar to a wasp sting. Females are more aggressive. Males prefer to run and hide.

… MarcieLn, 26 September, 2012 - 2:48pm

We can't imagine using the word agressive for an orb weaver.

Don't know if there is a creature with a milder disposition. They either just sit in your hand or try to run away and hide. We suppose they might bite if trapped, but we don't really know anyone who has been bitten by an orb weaver - though we know lots of folks who have been stung by wasps!

… john and jane balaban, 26 September, 2012 - 5:04pm

We doubt that she's poisonous

but neither of us has tried to eat one! Ooops, bad joke. Eric must be rubbing off on us. She certainly is venemous in the sense that she has venom glands, but her venom is only dangerous to her prey and not to people at all! Interesting that you find her ugly. She seems simply beautiful to us.

… john and jane balaban, 11 September, 2005 - 6:37pm

Shamrock Spider?

A. trifolium. The pattern/color suggests this but the diameter you indicate seems a little small for an adult Shamrock.

… Tom Adams, 21 November, 2004 - 11:21pm

sorry

We gave the diameter of just the abdomen. She looked like a great round grape. She was about an inch in diameter overall.

… john and jane balaban, 22 November, 2004 - 9:13pm

shamrock spider

I found one of these sitting in my window sill yesterday. I live in the Berkshires (Ma.) I was so glad someone had a picture so I knew if it was posionous.

… jenobrien, 7 October, 2005 - 12:33pm

Shamrock Orb Weaver

North Central Worcester County Massachusetts here. Just photographed one of these at my friends house Sept. 2012. Absolutely stunning creature, didn't seem to have a problem with being photographed up close. Most spiders run like heck this one looked like it was showing off.

… HipJipC, 6 October, 2012 - 6:11pm

Excellent, Please post your image

to BugGuide. We would love to see it.

… john and jane balaban, 6 October, 2012 - 6:58pm

Click on my HipJipC on the bo

Click on my HipJipC on the bottom of my comment it will take you to the two photos I posted of it : )

… HipJipC, 6 October, 2012 - 6:59pm