Asian Spinybacked Orbweaver

Natural history and identification

This spiny orb weaver has a hardened, conspicuously shaped abdomen and variable coloration. The taxonomic review documents color variation within the species, so color alone should not be treated as a reliable identification character. Its orb web is the prey-catching structure. Identification should be checked against the species diagnosis, especially when distinguishing it from other spiny-backed orb weavers.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Thelacantha brevispina

Common names

Asian Spinybacked Orbweaver

Family

Araneidae

Order

Araneae

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Asian Spinybacked Orbweaver (Thelacantha brevispina) belongs to Araneidae in the order Araneae. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source