The Araneidae – Orb-weaving spiders form a family that includes 178 genera. These are spiders with spiny legs that build symmetrical webs and hunt by trapping. They often have patterns on their abdomen and vary greatly in color.

They spin circular or orb-shaped webs to catch their prey. These webs are often complex and well-designed, with radial and spiral threads forming a circular structure. 

Main characteristics of the Araneidae:

1. Orb webs: Araneidae spiders are famous for their circular, orbit-shaped webs. They use radial threads to build the base structure, then spin spiral threads to trap prey. The spiders usually hide near the center of the web and detect the vibrations caused by trapped prey.
2. Morphology: Araneidae have a wide variety of shapes, but generally possess a well-defined body, eight legs, and chelicerae for manipulating silk and prey. Their size and coloration vary, with many showing shades of brown, black, or yellow.
3. Feeding behavior: Araneidae spiders are mainly insect predators. They usually wait at the center of their web, ready to catch prey entangled in the threads.

List of Araneidae genera (external link Araneae)

Genus Aculpeira

The only species of Aculpeira I have encountered is the oak spider or Aculepeira ceropegia. They are found in nature, in grasses at knee height or in shrubs. If you take the time to observe them, you’ll notice the particularly intricate pattern on their abdomen.

Aculepeira ceropegia – Oak Spider

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2159474
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aculepeira_ceropegia

Genus Araneus

The most common Araneus you’ll come across is Araneus diadematus, the European garden spider, recognizable by the cross on its abdomen.

Araneus diadematus – European Garden Spider

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2160133
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Épeire_diadème