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NatureNotes
NatureNotes

Giant Lichen Orb Weaver

By Rudy Mancke
Published July 27, 2021 at 5:30 AM EDT
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A male giant lichen orb weaver
Jenn Forman Orth
/
Flickr
A male giant lichen orb weaver

Araneus bicentenarius, the giant lichen orbweaver, is a species of orb weaver in the family Araneidae.[1][2][3] It is found in the USA and Canada.

Like most other orb weaver species, Araneus bicentenarius spins large webs up to 8 feet in diameter. While most other species of its genera usually wait for prey upside down in the center of the web, the giant lichen orb weaver spends most time at the edge of the web

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Rudy Mancke
Rudy Mancke served as naturalist and co-host of South Carolina ETV's <i>NatureScene</i>, which began its long run in 1978. His field trips, broadcast nationwide, earned him a legion of dedicated viewers. Rudy's knowledge of the complex inner-workings of different ecosystems and his great admiration for the natural world make him the perfect guide. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation and the Garden Club of America honored his commitment to resource conservation with special awards. After retiring from SCETV, Rudy went on to become naturalist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. He hosted SC Public Radio's <i>NatureNotes</i> from 1999 until his death in 2023 at age 78.
See stories by Rudy Mancke