Kansas is home to 63 species of orb weavers. These spiders need up-right structures, such as fenceposts, to construct their webs. It is common for males to be smaller than females, and the sexes may vary in color also. The two families of orb weavers are the Araneidae and the Tetragnathidae. Representatives of both are found in Kansas.
Most orb weaver species found in Kansas do not have common names, with the exception of a few conspicuous individuals. These are the "black and yellow garden spider" (Argiope aurantia), the "common starbellied orbweaver" (Acanthepeira stellata), and the "marbled orbweaver" (Araneus marmoreus).
Kansas orb weavers have many natural predators. Some wasps use these spiders to provision their nests with food for young wasps. Smaller spiders sometimes take up residence in an orb weaver's web and steal food, occasionally even killing and consuming the larger spider. Eggs of some species are targets for parasites.
Orb weavers vary considerably in color and size, but can be generally characterized by a large, round abdomen and a smaller head. In addition to being smaller, males are not often seen, as they do not spin webs. While many orb weavers can be identified to the genus level by appearance alone, many require microscopic examination of the genitalia for accurate species level identification.