Feather-legged Orb-weaver, Hackled Band Orb-weaver
Uloborus glomosus
Uloboridae (Feather-legged Orb-weavers), Order Araneae. They are unique for being completely non-venomous.
Physical Description
Small spider with a highly variable body shape. The cephalothorax is relatively flat, while the abdomen is often humped or has distinctive tufts of hair. They possess a cribellum (a silk-spinning organ) that produces fuzzy, non-sticky 'hackled' silk.
Size Estimate
3–5 mm for females; males are smaller at 2–3 mm. Based on the photo, this appears to be an adult or sub-adult female.
Coloration & Markings
Generally cryptic shades of grey, tan, brown, or off-white. This specimen shows a light, mottled cream coloration with darker brownish spots and bands on the legs.
Web Type
Horizontal or angled orb webs made of 'hackled' (fuzzy) silk rather than sticky droplets. Often found in low vegetation or eaves of houses.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes in two rows, with the posterior median eyes being relatively large and facing forward/sideways, typical of the Uloboridae family.
Leg Characteristics
Long first pair of legs often held together in front of the body. The first pair of legs typically features distinctive 'feathered' brushes of hair on the tibiae.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Entirely non-venomous. Uloboridae is the only family of spiders that completely lacks venom glands.
Medical Significance
None. Harmless to humans and pets. They cannot bite effectively and even if they did, they have no venom to inject.
Safety Recommendations
No safety precautions are necessary. These spiders are completely safe to handle or relocate by hand or with a brush.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Common across North America and Europe. Found in forests, gardens, and frequently on the exterior of buildings or inside sheds.
Behavior & Temperament
Passive and slow-moving. They rely on camo and their specialized silk to tangle prey rather than using venom. If disturbed, they often drop from the web or remain motionless.
Diet & Prey
Small flying insects like gnats, fruit flies, and small moths. Since they lack venom, they wrap prey extensively in hundreds of meters of silk to crush or immobilize it.
Seasonal Activity
Most active from late spring through autumn. Usually overwinters as an egg sac or immature juvenile in sheltered crevices.
Description
The Feather-legged Orb-weaver is a master of mimicry, often looking like a bit of dried leaf or debris caught in a cobweb. It is an evolutionarily fascinating spider because it lost the ability to produce venom, relying entirely on complex silk-wrapping techniques.
Key Features
Humped abdomen, feathered brushes on the first pair of legs, and the construction of a non-sticky orb web using fuzzy silk.
Similar Species
May be confused with members of the Tetragnathidae (Long-jawed orb-weavers) due to posture, but the lack of venom and the specific hackled silk distinguish Uloborids.
Life Cycle
Females produce flat, papery, star-shaped or textured egg sacs, often brown or grey. They may guard these sacs until the spiderlings emerge.
Ecological Importance
Excellent for natural pest control of small flies and gnats; they are an essential part of the micro-fauna in gardens and woodlands.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but generally considered common and stable throughout its range.
Interesting Facts
Uloborids are the only spiders that lack venom glands. They use 'cribellate' silk, which acts like Velcro to snag the hairs and bristles of an insect's exoskeleton.
Photography Tips
Focus on the first pair of legs to capture the 'feathering' and the texture of the abdomen. Macro mode is essential given their tiny size.
Identified: 2026-07-10T19:17:07.098686