Members of the cross-spider family (Araneidae) weave wheel-shaped webs that they use as traps for catching prey. Cross spiders seal the hole in the middle of the web that remains after weaving with a silk thread. Most webs are built vertically; rarely does a web lie horizontally.
From the center of the web to the retreat is normally laid a stronger signal thread. The retreat is at the edge of the web, on its upper part and somewhat to the side. In it the spider waits, and with its front leg holds the signal thread, thereby sensing any activity in its trap.
Species that add a band of interwoven silk threads to the center of the web, which helps the spider hide in the web, perch in the middle of the web.
There are also a couple of genera that are exceptions in weaving webs. Some of these do not make a retreat at the edge of the web, others do not pull the signaling threads, and some on a curled leaf weave a web that is not wheel-shaped...
Pedipalps (palps) of cross spiders have, for the most part, well-developed, strong teeth. With them the cross spiders crush and chew the prey and, in the process, moisten it with digestive juices. After feeding, from the captured insect there remains only an unrecognizable briquette made from the remnants of the outer skeleton, whereas after a meal spiders from some other families (crab spiders and orb-weavers) leave the outer exoskeleton almost untouched, and they suck out the nutritious interior.
Males resemble females in general, but are much smaller. The male courts the female by trembling and tugging at her web, which usually persuades her to mate. After mating the male usually manages to escape and mate again, but over time he becomes less nimble and adept, and the female may even eat him.
