Gasteracantha cancriformis[2] (spinybacked orbweaver) is a species of orb-weaver spider (family Araneidae).

[1] The genus name Gasteracantha derives from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster, "belly") and ἄκανθα (acantha, "thorn"), while the specific epithet cancriformis derives from the Latin words cancer ("crab") and forma ("shape, form, appearance").

Like with many other spiders, males are much smaller (2 to 3 mm long) and longer than wide.

[3][4] They are similar to the females in colour, but have a gray abdomen with white spots and the spines are reduced to four or five stubby projections.

In fact, the lifespan lasts only until reproduction, which usually takes place in the spring following the winter when they hatched.