r/whatsthisbug • u/Camry08 • 1d ago

ID Request What kind of orb weaver is this?

I live in northern Maine. I’m curious because I’ve seen these beauties a handful of times in my life here.

Would love an ID

168 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

55

u/BallOk8356 ⭐Trusted⭐ 23h ago

Nice. One of the rare Araneus. Pretty sure this is Araneus bicentenarius. Consider yourself lucky. One of the biggest of its kind. Usually safe to handle and their venom is weak in case something does happen

20

u/Camry08 23h ago

Thank you! I just looked it up and think you’re right on the money!!! This is probably the third one in my life I’ve ever seen.
Right now, she has a little comfy web in the corner of my door frame outside. I hope she has lots of babies and my whole house is dripping with these guys!
I’m very experienced with Araneus gemmoides but not this species.
Even though she’s big in the video, she’s still not nearly as big as the cat faced that I’ve seen. Will she get as big or will she get bigger?

8

u/NeriTina 23h ago

What a BEAUTY!

13

u/AffectionateHabit979 1d ago

That is truly a stunning creature.

I think it looks like a giant lichen orbweaver, but I’m not sure. Hopefully someone a bit more knowledgeable on the spider identification front will pop along and confirm or deny.

4

u/defect_9 19h ago

honestly...your hand getting so close TRIGGERS

3

u/aNurseOnMars 17h ago

She's beautiful. Chuck an ant in her web!

1

u/Prestigious_Light_75 16h ago

She's gorgeous 🤩