Predators
Orb weavers are vulnerable to a variety of predators, including birds, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. Birds are particularly adept at catching orb weavers, as they can easily spot the spiders' webs and swoop down to capture them. Lizards and frogs are also known to eat orb weavers, and they will often ambush the spiders as they are resting on their webs. Other spiders, such as wolf spiders and jumping spiders, will also prey on orb weavers, and they will often use their superior speed and agility to capture the spiders.
Pesticides
Orb weavers are also susceptible to pesticides, which can kill the spiders or damage their webs. Pesticides can be particularly harmful to orb weavers if they are applied to the areas where the spiders build their webs. This is because orb weavers rely on their webs to catch prey, and if their webs are damaged, they will not be able to eat. Pesticides can also be harmful to orb weavers if they are ingested by the spiders. This can happen if the spiders eat insects that have been contaminated with pesticides.
Habitat Loss
Orb weavers are also threatened by habitat loss, which can occur when their natural habitats are destroyed or degraded. Habitat loss can be caused by a variety of factors, such as deforestation, urbanization, and climate change. When orb weavers lose their habitats, they may not be able to find new places to build their webs and catch prey, which can lead to their decline or extinction.
