Oak Spider

Aculepeira ceropegia

The distinctive white and brown pattern on its abdomen closely mimics the lobed shape of an oak leaf, providing excellent camouflage.

Scientific name: Aculepeira ceropegia
Taxonomy: Animalia › Arthropoda › Arachnida › Araneae › Araneidae › Aculepeira
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: grassland
Habitat: Sunny meadows, forest edges, shrublands, and tall grasslands.
Diet: Flying insects such as flies, bees, moths, and aphids.
Range: Europe, Central Asia, Siberia
Size: Females: 11-15 mm, Males: 6-8 mm
Lifespan: 1 year
Active: diurnal
Threats: Habitat destruction due to intensive agriculture, pesticide use, and premature meadow mowing.
Safe to approach?: Harmless and non-aggressive. Admire its beautiful oak-leaf abdominal pattern from a safe distance. Do not disturb its web. If bitten (rare, only under extreme duress), wash the area with soap and water; symptoms are milder than a bee sting.

Aculepeira ceropegia , the oak spider , is an orb-weaving spider species belonging to the family Araneidae.

Photo: Kostas Zontanos, CC-BY, via iNaturalist