Just a few spider species have orange bodies and heads, so spiders are rather uncommon. The marbled orb-weaver, with its bulbous orange abdomen and orange and black patterns, is the most common orange spider. The woodlouse spider, cross orb-weaver spider, and triangular spiders are other orange arachnids species. Orange and black jumping spiders exist in addition to the species shown above.
A spider scurrying across your floor or lurking in a dark corner may be a terrifying one for anyone. However, seeing an orange spider might make you feel worried. The spider’s orange hue may lead you to believe it is a venomous spider, which is not the case. Maybe you’re curious about how to distinguish between various orange spider species.
The main kinds of orange spiders are described in this article. Recognize the creepy crawlies with descriptions and pictures of orange eight-legged creatures.
Facts About Orange Spiders
The arthropod class Arachnida includes orange spiders, as well as all other spiders. The male and female of certain species of orange spiders have distinct orange coloring or patterns. It’s just the male or female spiders that are classified as orange spiders, like other spider species. From bright orange with marbled designs to a dark, nearly reddish-orange, orange spiders may vary in color. Moreover, the orange abdomen and black cephalothorax of certain tiny jumping spiders distinguish them from other spiders.
After eating various insects, a spider species called Theridion grallator produces an orange abdomen. Orange spiders make a silky web for all of their species. Orange spiders make tangle webs to capture prey, much like red and black widow spiders. The webs of some orange-colored cobweb spiders, on the other hand, are not used to catch prey. Some orange and black funnel-web spiders instead create webs to protect their eggs, stay out of sight, or move them.
How to Identify Orange Spiders
The bodies or legs of orange spiders are striped with distinctive orange coloring or patterns. The body includes two segments, acephalothorax and abdomen, and eight eyes, which distinguishes all orange spiders from other spiders. Examining the abdomen’s form, size, and orangey patterns may also help you identify an Orange spider.
Between orange spiders and insects, it’s simple to differentiate. The cephalothorax of all spiders is joined by eight legs. Spiders, like most arthropods, do not have wings but can still jump, crawl, and inject venom to paralyze their prey. Insects, on the other hand, have six legs and wings in addition to six legs.
Types of Orange Spiders (with Pictures) – Identification Guide
Now that you know what kinds of orange spiders (black and orange spiders) may be found in your house, garden, or while wandering through a park or woodlands, let’s explore them.
Marbled Orb-Weaver (Araneus marmoreus)
The female (left) and male (right) of the marbled orb-weaver spider The orange abdomen of the little marbled orb-weaver spider is round and bulbous, with yellowish and black marbling, making it easy to spot. The spiny orange, black, and white legs of this common spider are among its other distinguishing characteristics. The Sibley Orb-Weaver Spider is 0.35 to 0.79 inches (9 to 20 mm) long.
The orange color of many marbled orb-weaver spiders is similar, with white markings and a round, egg-like abdomen. The orb-weaver bodies are said to resemble tiny orange pumpkins, according to some. Orange orb-weavers are also known as pumpkin spiders because of this.
The body of some marbled orb-weaver species is orange, with black or brown patches. A light brown or tan pattern with a black border standing out against the vivid orange hue might be present. The abdomen of other species is light orange, practically yellow, with a large brown patch in the rear.
The yellow to burnt-orange hue of the cephalothorax is another feature of an orb-weaver spider. The cephalothorax of the spider is usually a dark orange color, whether or not it has an abdominal coloring of orange, light red, yellow, or white. Orange legs with white and black stripes are seen on various marbled orb-weavers. Little black or white spines on the legs can be seen in close-up images of bright orange spiders.
The Araneus iviei is another kind of orange marbled orb-weaver. The ball-like orange abdomen of this spotted spider with orange markings is unmistakable. Tiny white spines protrude from the dark orange legs and cephalothorax, which are visible up close.
There are differences between the male and female populations of Araneus iviei, a kind of orange marbled spider with white dots. The female species, for example, is an orange spider with an orange pumpkin-like abdomen. The male marbled orb-weaver spider, on the other hand, has a pale yellow abdomen with zigzag black stripes. Moreover, the male spider’s head and limbs are virtually see-through, especially when compared to the female spider.
Orange Male Spider Identification: The male marbled orb-weaver has black or dark brown patterns on its oval orange-yellow abdomen. It features black and white stripes on its cephalothorax and legs, which are both dark orange. The orange male spider is 0.12 to 0.23 inches (3 to 6 mm) long.
Orange Female Spider Identification: The female marbled orb-weaver has a huge, orange balloon-like abdomen with black or brown marble designs and light yellowish patches. Female orb-weavers spiders range from 0.35 to 0.79 inches (9 to 20 mm).
Cross Orb-Weaver (Araneus diadematus)
The cross orb-weaver has a pale orange bulbous abdomen with creamy yellowish dots and patches that create a visible cross pattern. The female (left) and male (right) are shown here. Furthermore, the little spider has mottled markings on its colorful abdomen pattern, giving it a patchy look.
The hairy legs of this orange spider are another distinguishing feature. 0.26 to 0.79 inches (6.5 to 20 mm) long, the mature female is smaller. The segmented white stripe and patterns that create a cross are what give this cross orb-weaver its name. The crowned orb-weaver, diadem spider, orangie, and European garden spider are some of the other common names for this non-venomous spider. This spider is also known as the pumpkin spider, similar to the marbled orb-weaver.
Orange spider identification: The bulbous pale orange abdomen of the cross orb-weaver bears a conspicuous white cross-like marking.
Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocata)
The woodlouse spider has long legs, a huge mouthpart, and orange and brown coloring. With a glossy sheen, the cephalothorax of a spider is usually tawny orange to dark red. The yellowish-brown or dark gray color of the oval abdomen is different. The length of orange woodlouse spiders ranges from 0.43 to 0.6 inches (11 to 15 mm). The spider’s diet, which consists mostly of woodlice and pillbugs, gives it its name. Sowbug assassin, pillbug hunter, and slater spider are some of the names for it.
Orange spider identification: The metallic orange cephalothorax and legs, as well as the brownish-gray oval body of the woodlouse spider, distinguish it.
Triangular Spider (Arkys lancearius)
The orange species of spider has two pairs of large front legs and an unusual heart-shaped abdomen. The body of this strange spider is light orange or red, with white dots on its three-sided abdomen. The center is surrounded by pairs of bigger white dots. The little orange triangle spider is 0.31 inch (8 mm) in size. The spider’s other distinguishing characteristic is its two pairs of huge, spread out forelegs, in addition to its unusual abdomen in the form of a triangle. The four lighter-colored, shorter, pale orange hindlegs are in contrast.
Orange spider identification: With a transparent light orange to reddish-orange coloration with many white markings, the triangle spider has a distinct heart-shaped abdomen.
Jewel Spider (Gasteracantha quadrispinosa)
The jewel spider has a flat, black-spotted orange oblong abdomen that makes it easy to identify. The four spines on the abdomen, black crown-like patterns, and a lustrous black cephalothorax are all noteworthy aspects of this spider. The spider’s width is 0.19 to 0.23 inches (5 to 6 mm). The orb-web spider hangs in the center of its web, capturing prey with its jewel spider. The abdomen of the spiny orb-weaver spider is hard and reflective, with orange, red, or yellow hues.
Orange spider identification: The distinctive flat oblong orangey-red abdomen with black dots and a dark pattern at the spinneret distinguishes the jewel spider from other spiders.
Cardinal Jumper (Phidippus cardinalis)
The cardinal jumper is a little orange and black hairy spider with a fuzzy orange cephalothorax and abdomen. It has an orange fuzzy cephalothorax and abdomen. The hairy body, jet black legs, vibrant orange coloring, and two prominent central eyes are all identifying features of the cardinal jumper spider. The length of this spider is 0.4 inch (10 mm).
The wasp-mimicking spider category includes the little black and orange cardinal jumper spider. Mutillid wasps, also known as velvet ants, are imitated by Cardinal jumper spiders. These spiders, on the other hand, don’t sting, unlike wasps. The spiders’ ant-like habits and brilliant orange coloration make them less appetizing to birds and other spiders, which helps them ward off predators.
Orange spider identification: A fuzzy orange and black spider with black, spiny legs and a row of four eyes, the cardinal jumping spider has two center eyes that are largest.
Phidippus clarus
With an orange belly and a black stripe, Phidippus clarus is a jumping spider. Phidippus clarus is a jumping spider with an orange abdomen and a prominent black abdominal stripe. In the photos, it’s the male (left) and female (right). The white abdominal band, black cephalothorax, and fuzzy black and white legs distinguish this jumping male spider. The mature female spider is 0.16 to 0.55 inches (4 to 14 mm) long and is black and orange in color.
The female spider looks different from the male, as do many other spider species. The dark orange abdomen of the female species is striped with a black or brown stripe, and the light brown abdominal band. Also, across the black cephalothorax are dark and light orange bands.
Orange spider identification: The thick black stripe that runs the length of the orange abdomen of the Phidippus clarus identifies it. A white or tan band separates the abdomen and cephalothorax.
Whitman’s Jumping Spider (Phidippus whitmani)
The Phidippus whitmani is a hairy orange and black jumping spider with a deep orange, almost red furry abdomen and cephalothorax. Whitman’s jumping spider has white hairs on its legs. The spiny legs of this reddish-orange spider are covered in fine white hairs, giving it a striking appearance. Because of its fuzzy body, the little spider has a velvety appearance. The length of the Phidippus whitmani is 0.4″ (10 mm).
Orange spider identification: The Whitman’s jumping spider has a bold deep orange or red body with fuzzy grayish legs, which are its distinguishing characteristics.
Triangle Orb-Weaver (Verrucosa arenata)
The triangle orb-weaver is readily recognized for its three-sided abdomen, which is orange and creamy white. With a huge cream-colored triangle, the unusual orange spider has a rusted-red or dark orange Triangle abdomen. Brown with black markings, the cephalothorax and legs of the spider are brown. A 0.27″ to 0.55″ (7 to 14 mm) long spider with a triangular or orb-shaped abdomen The male orange and brown spider has no yellowish-white triangle on its abdomen, which is also known as the arrowhead spider. Throughout North America, this indigenous spider species may be found in parks, gardens, and forests.
Orange spider identification: The wedge-like triangle form, dark orange and brown hues, and huge creamy white abdominal patch distinguish the triangle orb-weaver from other spiders.
Northern Crab Spider (Mecaphesa asperata)
The northern crab spider has two pairs of front long legs, an oval abdomen, and a small cephalothorax. It has a yellow body with orange markings. The crab spider has two pairs of long front legs, a brown to dark orange pattern, and stiff black spines that help to identify it. With a leg span of 0.5″ (12 mm), the female crab spider measures 0.23″ (6 mm) long.
Orange spider identification: The distinctive four large front legs, bulbous yellow and orange abdomen, and black spines sparsely covering its body and legs are all characteristics of the northern crab spider.
White-Banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes)
The male white-banded crab spider has two pairs of long orange front legs and two short pairs of orange rear legs, with an amber-colored smooth abdomen, cephalothorax, and chocolate-brown legs. The white-banded crab spider has enormous forelegs and short hind legs, as do all crab spiders.
This male crab spider is 0.1 to 0.13 inch (2.5 to 3 mm) in length, depending on the species. The female species is known as the white-banded crab spider. A white, yellow, or light-brown triangular body with a V-shaped marking makes the female white-banded crab spider stand out.
Orange spider identification: The dark brown head and golden amber abdomen of the male white-banded crab spider. The spider’s hind legs match the abdomen, while the forelegs match the cephalothorax color, making it simple to tell which one you’re looking at.
Pale Orange Lynx Spider (Oxyopes javanus)
The lynx spider has spiny legs and an elongated triangular abdomen with orange, white, and brown stripes. Two central orange stripes and darker brown bands run along the edge of the spider’s tan-colored cephalothorax. The lynx spider’s legs are coated in lengthy black spines, according to close-up photographs.
The males are somewhat smaller than the females, measuring 0.23” to 0.31” (6 to 8 mm) long. A hunting spider of this sort can be found. On top of its head, it has six large eyes, while on the front, it has two smaller eyes.
Orange spider identification: The light orange to yellow color of the orange Oxyopes javanus, V-shaped markings, and spiky bristles on its legs distinguish it from other species.
Orange Lynx Spider (Oxyopes salticus)
The orange spider Oxyopes salticus has a huge orange cephalothorax, a tiny triangular abdomen, and lengthy spiny legs. The eight eyes of this little orange spider are placed in a hexagonal arrangement and are the spiders’ distinguishing features. Furthermore, the front of the little spider has two black hairy palps. Females of the Oxyopes salticus spider have an adult body length of 0.23 inch (6 mm), while males are 0.19 inch (5 mm). The spiders appear to be bigger due to their long leg span.
Orange spider identification: The orange lynx spider has an orange head with two black stripes, eight black eyes, and two black palps in front of its mouthparts as one of its distinguishing characteristics.
Black and Orange Dwarf Spider (Hypselistes florens)
Hypselistes florens is a dwarf spider with a bright orange cephalothorax and a bulging shiny black abdomen that is distinguished by its rounded orange-red head. The spindly orange legs with broad black bands on them distinguish this orange and black spider. The spider has an oval pattern of eight eyes when viewed up close. The grown male variety is a modest 0.07” (1.8 mm) long, while the tiny orange spider is just 0.11″ (3 mm) lengthy.
Orange spider identification: The brightly colored orange cephalothorax and legs, as well as the jet-black ball-like swollen abdomen, identify the Hypselistes florens quickly.
Blacktailed Red Sheetweaver (Florinda coccinea)
The blacktailed red sheetweaver is a tiny dark orange spider with crimson body, thin black legs, and a black tip at the end of its tail. The cephalothorax of the little spider is rounded, and the abdomen is tear-shaped. The body of this species is a single burnt-orange color, unlike other varieties of dwarf spiders. Greenish legs with small black spines characterize the blacktailed red sheetweaver spider. The orange spider is 0.16 inch (4 mm) long.
Orange spider identification: A dark-orange, almost red body, greenish-black legs, and a black protrusion at the end of the abdomen are all characteristics of the blacktailed red sheetweaver.