Orbweaver: Neoscona

Hentz's Orbweaver, Neoscona crucifera

The genus Neoscona, the spotted orbweavers, contains seven species within the United States and Canada. While a "barn spider" is often referenced for Araneus cavaticus, those within Neoscona are sometimes collectively called barn spiders. This is in part due to some near indistinguishable species within the Araneus and Neoscona, where only careful examination of the carapace differentiates the two. While some orb weavers are visible for the majority of the year, this particular species, Neoscona crucifera, is more apparent as the weather starts to change from hot summer to cooler autumn. As a nocturnal spider species, it is also less likely to be seen on its web during the day.