Arachnids · La Saladita, Guerrero

Spined Micrathena

Micrathena gracilis

Spanish: Araña de panza espinosa

Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis)
Photographed by zihuadean on iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC

Micrathena gracilis is a spider in the family Araneidae (orb-weavers), commonly known as the spined micrathena. This spider spins a moderately large (can be 30 cm (11.81 in) or more across), very tightly coiled web, often in wooded or brushy areas. It is completely harmless to humans.

TaxonomyArachnida › Araneae › Araneidae
Local records14 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records21,471 on iNaturalist
Most recent records2021 – 2025
Months of the 8 most recent records
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Cite as: “Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/micrathena-gracilis/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.