I need an ID on this guy

[Aurelia]

My mom just found this little beauty living by our porch light. its web is about 1 1/2 feet across and the spider is about as big as my thumb. Anybody know what it is?

top view

bottom view

 

[clearlysaid]

New here...

...and I've never ID'd a spider before. But, if I had to guess this is some type of Orb Weaver. Maybe Neoscona sp. Haha, not sure but we have ones that look like that but more orange here in CO and I've always been told they're Orb Weavers.

 

[Aurelia]

yeah, it's got a gorgeous web. definitely an orb weaver. I wish I could find out exactly what species though. haha, I can make out an ET face on the abdomen.

 

[Widowman10]

really closely related to the cat-faced orb weaver. same genus i'm sure of it.

 

[Aurelia]

after a bit of poking around on the web I'm guessing....Araneus gemmoides?

 

[Widowman10]

after a bit of poking around on the web I'm guessing....Araneus gemmoides?

could be. i've seen SEVERAL different color morphs of these though. very interesting species!!:clap:

 

[Aurelia]

yes, now I'm 99% sure. the pics don't show it but it definitely has the two bumps that resemble cat ears. I also read that they hang around lights. it all makes perfect sense!