AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.ApprovedCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Gasteracantha cancriformis
Spiny-backed Orb-weaver
Linnaeus, 1758
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A highly distinctive spider. Females have a hard, crab-like abdomen with prominent spines and colorful markings, often white, yellow, or red with black spots. Males are tiny and lack spines.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.
Araña joyaAraña soldadoSpiny orb-weaverCrab-like orbweaver
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Arthropoda
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Arachnida
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Araneae
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Araneidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Gasteracantha
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Linnaeus, 1758
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Summer
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Insectivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Commonly found in woodland edges, shrubby gardens, and citrus groves. They prefer to spin webs in shrubs, trees, and tall vegetation.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
They typically sit in the center of their orb web facing downwards. They will drop to the ground or hide if threatened.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary, though it is common to find several individuals building separate webs in the same favorable shrub or tree.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Orb-weaving insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Diet consists of small flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, beetles, small moths). Predated by some parasitic wasps and specialized birds.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Males approach the female's web and tap a rhythm to avoid being perceived as prey. Females lay between 100 to 260 eggs in a silk sac placed on the underside of a leaf.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
0.2 - 1.3 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.01 g - 0.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.100 - 260
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
2 - 4 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
11 - 14
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 4 Months
Females6 - 12 Months
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Extremely small, measuring only 2 to 3 millimeters. They lack the characteristic spines and are typically dark brown or grey.
Females Multi-lang
Larger, measuring 5 to 9 mm in length and up to 13 mm in width. They feature a hardened shell-like abdomen with 6 prominent spines.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The hard, spiny abdomen deters birds and other predators from eating them.
They often add white silk tufts to their webs to warn birds, preventing them from flying through and destroying the web.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat destruction due to urbanization.
Susceptible to agricultural pesticides used in gardens and citrus groves.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Females generally only live long enough to reproduce once, dying shortly after laying their egg mass.