Araneus to use the genus in their publications, notably Franganillo (1913, 1918), Hingston (1932), Kaston (1948) and Marples (1957). Chamberlin and Ivie published a new species, "Epeira miniata", in 1944, which was rejected. Jean-Henri Fabre refers to "Argiope" spiders as "Epeira" in his 1928 book "The Life of the Spider" ("La Vie des araignées"), within the family "Epeirae". James Henry Emerton also uses the genus "Epeira" in his 1902 book "The Common Spiders of the United States", but refers to spiders mostly now considered "Araneus". The popular 1893 book "American Spiders and their Spinningwork" by Henry Christopher McCook also uses "Epeira"
Araneus quadratus wooded areas, or wherever there is vegetation to string an orb web across. This species builds its web close to the ground to catch jumping insects such as small grasshoppers. The female builds the more elaborate web, complete with a funnel-shaped retreat off to the side where she goes during inclement weather. The web is smaller and closer to the ground than those of other species of orb-weaver. Adult females can actively change their color. It takes about three days to take on colors that accurately match their resting surface. Araneus quadratus Araneus quadratus, the four-spot orb-weaver, is a common