What Do Garden Spiders Eat?

Garden spiders, also known as orb-weavers, are carnivorous predators that primarily feed on insects. They use their intricate webs to catch their prey.

• Insects: Garden spiders feed on a variety of insects that get caught in their webs. These can include flies, mosquitoes, and moths.
• Small Invertebrates: Beyond insects, they also eat other small invertebrates like millipedes and centipedes.
• Other Spiders: Occasionally, garden spiders may prey on other smaller spiders.
• Butterflies: They are known to catch and eat butterflies that get trapped in their webs.
• Bees and Wasps: Despite the risk, garden spiders also consume bees and wasps that become ensnared in their webs.
• Grasshoppers: Larger garden spiders can catch and eat grasshoppers.

How do Garden Spiders Eat?

Garden spiders eat by capturing their prey in their webs and then injecting them with venom to paralyze them.

• They spin intricate webs to trap their prey which mainly includes insects.
• Once trapped, they quickly immobilize their prey by injecting venom.
• The venom also begins the digestion process by breaking down the prey's body tissues.
• They then wrap the prey in silk for later consumption.
• When ready to eat, they regurgitate digestive enzymes onto the prey to liquify it, and then suck up the resulting 'soup'.

What do Garden Spiders Drink?

Garden spiders, like all spiders, primarily consume fluids from their prey. They don't drink in the traditional sense.

• Prey's bodily fluids: These are the juices extracted from their captured prey, which provide necessary hydration and nutrition.
• Dew: Occasionally, spiders may consume dew or moisture collected on their webs.

FAQs about Garden Spiders

1. How often do Garden Spiders eat?

Garden Spiders eat once or twice a day depending on the availability of prey.

2. How long can a Garden Spiders live without eating?

A Garden Spider can live without eating for about two weeks.

3. What do Larvae Garden Spiders eat?

Larvae Garden Spiders eat small insects and other spiders.