Delmonico

Halloween ' s Favorite Fall Friend

written by Lexi Delmonico

If there was ever a time of year where spotting a spider would be on par, Halloween is one of them. Unless you happen to be one of those people who think that the creepy crawlers are like little puppies, most of us are afraid of them. One particular spider however, is perfect for the spooky season.

The pumpkin spider, or Araneus marmoreus, is a tiny arachnid that shows itself in bright warm colors. They can vary from light brown to orange, with striped legs coming in white, clear or black, and an abdomen that can be either white, yellow or orange that has a “marbled” pattern. This pattern also causes them to go by another name: the marbled orb-weaver. But I like pumpkin spider better. The pumpkin spider has a vast habitat and range of origin. They are found most commonly in Canada and the United States, preferring Northern regions like Russia and the larger Holarctic region.

Quite like a Jack-o-Lantern, these spiders are nocturnal. They work their web during the morning then take time to rest before the nighttime hunt begins. Due to their small stature, the pumpkin spider sticks to smaller insects for food. Impressively enough, some have been documented to catch up to 14 in one day. They communicate through hair sensors on their legs, which not only helps them hear, but sense the environment around them to easily attack prey. Creepy.

The pumpkin spider is good for other things as well. They have a notable role in the ecosystem as food for wasps and various birds. A tragic end, but the circle of life never stops. If it does survive a predator attack, the pumpkin spider will live around six months. Eggs hatch in the spring, meaning that these spiders live out their lives mostly in the summertime to pass away before winter. So, in an ironic twist, the pumpkin spider, named for a favorite fall squash, dies in the fall as well. Maybe you’ll get lucky and spot one this Halloween.

Sources

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Araneus _ mar moreus/