Neoscona crucifera

{{Short description|Species of spider}}

{{For|the spider species also known as "barn spiders"|Araneus cavaticus}}

{{Speciesbox

|image=BarnSpider.jpg

|image_caption=Ventral view

|image2=DorsalViewNeoscons.jpg

|image2_caption=Dorsal viewthumb

|taxon=Neoscona crucifera

|authority=(Lucas, 1839)

}}

Neoscona crucifera is an orb-weaver spider in the family Araneidae. It is found in the United States from Maine to Florida in the east, to Minnesota in the Midwest, to Arizona in the southwest, southern California coastal communities and in Mexico. Its common names include Hentz orbweaver (after Nicholas Marcellus Hentz), spotted orbweaver, and barn spider. The name "barn spider" is also commonly used for a different spider, Araneus cavaticus.

Generally nocturnal, females may become diurnal in the fall.{{cite web |author=G. B. Edwards, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry |title=Orb Weavers |url=http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/spiders/neoscona.htm |accessdate=September 11, 2010}} Females are about {{convert|9.5|-|19|mm|sp=us}} long, while males are somewhat smaller. The upper surface of the abdomen is brown and hairy. The legs display alternating light and dark brown bands. The undersurface of the abdomen is black, with two white spots.

This species is relatively variable in color and sometimes pattern, but is most commonly seen sporting a rusty-red or golden orange color. The orb-shaped web is very large and is often constructed on buildings and other man-made structures, often several feet above ground, especially near outdoor lights. This species is most conspicuous in late summer and early fall.{{cite web |url=http://www.spiders.us/species/neoscona-crucifera/ |access-date=July 21, 2015|title=Neoscona crucifera (Hentz Orb-weaver) - Spider Identification & Pictures}}

The orb part of the web may be nearly {{convert|2|ft|sp=us}} in diameter.{{cite journal |author=B. J. Kaston |year=1976 |title=Supplement to the Spiders of Connecticut |journal=Journal of Arachnology |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=1–72 |url=http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v4_n1/JoA_v4_n1.pdf }} The eggsac consists of fluffy yellow threads in a rolled leaf over a lenticular or spherical egg mass {{convert|5|-|12|mm|abbr=on}} in diameter, which may contain up to 1,000 eggs. Juveniles are frequently preyed upon by mud daubers.{{cite journal |author=B. J. Kaston |year=1948 |title=Spiders of Connecticut |journal=Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey |volume=70 |pages=1–874}} This species will bite if provoked, but its venom is not dangerous to humans.{{cite web |url=https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/spotted-orbweavers |accessdate=16 September 2022|title=Spotted Orbweavers Neoscona spp.|website=Missouri Department of Conservation}}

File:Spider-1.jpg|Dorsal view

File:Spider with entombed insect.jpg|With an entombed insect

File:Neoscona crucifera.jpg|alt=Barn Spider feeding at night|Feeding on enrobed prey