See a Close Up View of a Massive Spider Catch and Wrap Its Prey

Love ’em or hate ’em, spiders are fascinating creatures. They are part of the arachnid class within the arthropod phylum. These animals weave webs to catch their prey. Many take a step further and wrap their prey in woven silk. A Hentz orb-weaver spider is a docile arachnid that catches, wraps, and eats prey in its large webs.

Watch the Fascinating Video Here!

This video shows a large orb-weaving spider. These spiders are named for their ability to build circular webs. These webs catch insects that fly into them and get stuck. The result is a tasty lunch for the spider.

This particular spider is a Neoscona crucifera or Hentz orb-weaver. It lives all over the United States, although it’s not common in the Pacific Northwest area. It is not venomous but can bite. The spiders tend to be calm and docile, however. Typically, barn spiders only bite when they feel threatened.

This video shows the spider catching prey on its web and then wrapping it in webs to keep it from getting away. This allows the spider to come back to the meal later or to carry it off as a present for another spider. It doesn’t look like this spider is interested in sharing, however.

The clip also shows the spider traveling along its web to get to another insect stuck there. Its eight legs move fluidly to walk along the delicate strands of the web. A bee is waiting for the spider, stuck on the sticky parts of the web. As the spider puts out its web, it also rolls the insect to ensure it is completely covered.

After some time, the Hentz orb-weaver is ready to eat. Going back to the wrapped prey, the spider takes bites as it pulls the bee out of the casing. A fly caught on the web gets the same treatment.

What Do Hentz Orb-Weavers Eat?

Bees and flies, the prey in this clip, are common in the Hentz orb-weaver’s diet. They eat insects caught in their webs, including mosquitos and gnats. This is quite helpful to keep those pests at bay. These spiders tend to build their webs on manmade structures, such as porches and decks. They string the webs between two anchor points.

Are These Spiders Dangerous?

No, Hentz orb-weavers are not dangerous unless you are a fly or bee that gets stuck in their web. In fact, most people like them because they can keep more bothersome insects under control. If you have a fear of spiders, however, you may get a bit nervous around these large arachnids. While they are not dangerous, you can deter them from forming their webs in areas that you’d rather keep spider-free, such as walkways. Just brush the web away gently using a broom handle or long stick. The spider will quickly get the message and go elsewhere to build its circular web.