Orb-weaver spiders or
araneids are members of the
spider family Araneidae. They are the most common group of builders of spiral wheel-shaped webs often found in gardens, fields and forests. "Orb" was previously used in English to mean "circular", hence the English name of the group. Araneids have eight similar eyes, hairy or spiny legs, and no
stridulating organs. The family is cosmopolitan, including many well-known large or brightly colored garden spiders. With around 3,100
species in 169
genera worldwide, Araneidae is the third-largest family of
spiders (behind
Salticidae and
Linyphiidae). Araneid webs are constructed in a stereotyped fashion. A framework of nonsticky silk is built up before the spider adds a final spiral of silk covered in sticky droplets.