#neoscona

orbweavers are inherently charming, and Neoscona are some of the most charming among them, not only because of their often fancy patterns and colors but also because i personally find their oval shape very cute. i found this illegally orange individual by following conspicuous silk strands around for a bit, and i can't even make fun of her lack of subtlety in good conscience because she's too pretty

location: Southern California

It's not a cross orbweaver, actually! Despite the marking that looks kind of like a cross. Normally an actual cross orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) will have a cross made of white dots on the front of the abdomen right behind the head. This lady looks like a spotted orbweaver in the genus Neoscona.

Here's a cross orbweaver for comparison:

An orb weaver, possibly Neoscona oaxacenis in Arizona, USA

7-Legged Arabesque Orbweaver? Neoscona arabesca

a small orb with a wonderfully intricate abdomen, resting on her silken retreat amongst the grasses.