Arrowhead Spiders is the common name for the species *Verrucosa arenata*. They are a genus of orb-weaver spiders, easily recognized by their distinctively shaped abdomen, which resembles an arrowhead, triangle, or kite. These spiders are completely harmless to humans and are considered highly beneficial predators in gardens and ornamental landscapes. They are notable for the large, beautiful orb-webs they construct to catch flying insects.
Taxonomy and Classification
The Arrowhead Spider (*Verrucosa arenata*) belongs to the family Araneidae, which encompasses the orb-weaver spiders, in the class Arachnida. Orb-weavers are characterized by their construction of the classic, circular, wheel-shaped web. The genus *Verrucosa* contains many species known for their geometrically shaped, often brightly colored, abdomens.
Physical Description
Arrowhead Spiders are medium-sized, with females being significantly larger than males, typically measuring 10–12 millimeters in body length. The female’s abdomen is the distinguishing feature: it is broad, triangular, or shaped like a shield, often with a prominent, blunt point at the posterior end. This shape gives rise to the “arrowhead” or “kite” common names.
When compared to other common orb-weavers and household spiders, Arrowhead Spiders fall into the medium range. Adult females, the larger of the sexes, generally reach about 10–12 millimeters in body length. This puts them comfortably between the much larger garden spiders (like the Black and Yellow Argiope, which can top 25 millimeters) and the diminutive crab spiders, who often max out at just a few millimeters.
Males, on the other hand, are more petite, usually measuring around 5–6 millimeters. This makes them about the size of a grain of rice—easy to overlook unless you know what to look for. Both sexes, however, are still unmistakable thanks to their distinct arrow-shaped abdomens, which are often more noticeable than their actual size.
This puts them comfortably between the much larger garden spiders (like the Black and Yellow Argiope, which can top 25 millimeters) and the diminutive crab spiders, who often max out at just a few millimeters.
The color of the abdomen is variable, ranging from pale yellow, orange, or white, often with dark markings that further emphasize the angular shape. Males are smaller, duller in color, and lack the pronounced abdominal shape. Their legs are typically dark and spindly, used for maneuvering on the web.
Distribution and Habitat
The Arrowhead Spider is native to the Americas, found throughout the eastern United States and parts of Central and South America. Its primary habitat is areas with dense vegetation, such as shrubbery, tall weeds, perennial gardens, and the edges of forests. They are commonly found in gardens and near the eaves of houses where they can string their large webs between structures or plant supports.
They prefer to build their webs in strategic locations that intercept the flight paths of small insects, typically positioning the web a few feet above the ground.
Behavior and Web Construction
As orb-weavers, the Arrowhead Spider constructs large, non-reusable webs that are typically rebuilt daily, often in the late evening or early morning. The webs can be quite large, up to a meter in diameter. The spider generally rests in the center of the web or retreats to a silk-lined retreat near the edge, waiting for the vibrations of trapped prey.
Females produce an egg sac that is usually attached to nearby vegetation or a hidden area away from the web. They are solitary and non-aggressive. When disturbed, they may drop from the web to the ground or remain motionless to avoid detection.
Seasonal Activity
Arrowhead Spiders tend to be most visible and active during the height of summer and into the early fall. Warmer temperatures and an abundance of insect prey during these months make late summer an especially busy time for these orb-weavers to spin their webs and hunt.
Ecological Role and Interaction with Humans
The Arrowhead Spider is an important **beneficial predator** in the garden, playing a significant role in controlling flying insect populations, including mosquitoes, flies, and moths. They are ecologically valuable and should be protected.
They are not considered a pest in any traditional sense. Their venom is potent enough to subdue their prey but is not medically significant to humans. They are extremely reluctant to bite, and their fangs are generally too small to penetrate human skin effectively. They are only considered a minor nuisance if their webs are strung across walkways or doorways.
Management and Prevention
No management or control of Arrowhead Spiders is recommended, as they are beneficial. If a web is constructed in an inconvenient location, it can simply be removed, and the spider will rebuild elsewhere, usually within a day. Promoting a natural garden environment with diverse vegetation encourages these spiders and other beneficial insects.
Conservation and Research
Arrowhead Spiders are common and widely distributed, requiring no special conservation status. Research into orb-weavers often focuses on the biomechanics of their silk production and web construction, as well as their role in natural pest control within agricultural ecosystems.