Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 233

The A. diadematus spider is found in Europe and North America, ranging from southern Canada to Mexico. They have mottled white markings on their abdomen and come in various colors, with females being larger than males. Orb-weaver spiders like A. diadematus build orb webs to catch prey, using specialized legs for spinning. They can be cannibalistic, with females sometimes eating males after mating. These spiders are reclusive and only bite humans if provoked, responding to disturbances by vibrating rapidly in their web.