The Barn Spider is an orb weaver, a spider that spins
its web in a circle-type shape. This orb weaver is about
3/4 inch long with a large round abdomen.
It spins a large orb web, hangs its head down in the
middle at night and retreats to a nearby crevice during
the day.
This spider is a dark brown color, with darker markings
on the back of the abdomen. Its legs are slightly covered
with whitish hairs.
Habitat
Barn Spiders are found all over the eastern part United
States. They can be found on porches near lights, in
the corners of doorways, in window frames -- anywhere
conducive for constructing the large orb web. You can
even find them on the sides of cliffs, in caves, and
in barns!
In late afternoon and at night, the barn spider can
be seen hanging in the center of its web. During the
day, the barn spider will retreat to a nearby crevice
only to return to the web the next night.
Food
The Barn Spider preys on flying and crawling insects
that become entangled in her orb web. The spider will
vibrate or sway the web if she senses that prey may
be caught in it.
The web itself is used to wrap the prey and soon becomes
full of holes and ragged. After several days, the spider
will eat the web, recycle the silk, and construct a
new web.
Defense
The Barn Spider's shadowy brown coloration helps to
camouflage it. During the day it retreats into a crevice
near the web. If disturbed while on the web, a barn
spider will run to one side, drop off or hide in a crevice.
