Shamrock Orb Weaver

While walking in the overgrown field next to our cabin I notice a somewhat small Orb Weaver web suspended from a multiflora rose bush. At the top of the web in small nest of dead leaves was this very large reddish/brown Shamrock Orb Weaver (Araneus trifolium).



This Shamrock Orb Weaver was the size of a grape. As an indication of its size, the spider is in an Autumn Olive tree and the red berries are about 1/4 inch in diameter.



The Shamrock Orb Weaver with rose hips from a multiflora rose.



An image of the bottom side of the Shamrock Orb Weaver showing the spinnerets on the abdomen. The spider's silk is produced by the spinnerets.



A side view of the Shamrock Orb Weaver shows the size of the abdomen compared to the rest of the spider.



The size of this spider's abdomen causes this spider to have a high center of gravity and it tends crawl through the branches up side down.



The spider hangs on as the weight of its abdomen tries to flip it.