Magnificent Spider

Details

The Magnificent Spider (Ordgarius magnificus) is a striking bolas spider in the familyAraneidae, found in forests along the east coast of Australia. Instead of spinning a typical orb web, the female uses a single silk line with a sticky globule — a “bolas” — to snare moths attracted by a chemical lure.

Basic Biology

• Scientific name: Ordgarius magnificus

• Family & genus: Araneidae, genus Ordgarius

• Size: Females up to about 10–14 mm long and almost as wide; males tiny at only 1–2 mm.

• Longevity: Thought to be around 1 year, spanning at least one breeding season.

Appearance

Female Magnificent Spiders are creamy white with a delicate pattern of pink and yellow spots on the abdomen and a crown of white and reddish tubercles on the cephalothorax. The body is nearly as wide as it is long, giving a plump, rounded appearance, and the legs are relatively short compared with many other orb-weavers, well suited to hanging quietly among foliage.

Distribution & Habitat

This species is endemic to eastern Australia, where it occurs in forest and woodland along the east coast. Spiders are usually found in trees or tall shrubs, rarely less than about 2 m above the ground. By day they hide in a retreat made from rolled leaves and silk; at night they hunt in more open spaces among the branches.

The Bolas Hunting Technique

As a bolas spider, the Magnificent Spider has a remarkable hunting method. At night the female constructs a short “trapeze” line between twigs, suspends herself from it, and then spins a single line of silk ending in a large sticky droplet — the bolas.

She releases airborne chemicals that mimic the sex pheromones of certain female moths. Male moths, drawn in by the scent, fly towards the spider. Sensitive hairs on the spider’s legs detect the wing beats of an approaching moth. The spider then swings the bolas in a circle beneath the moth until the droplet strikes and sticks to it. The tethered moth is hauled in, bitten, wrapped and either eaten at once or stored for later.

Egg Sacs & Life Cycle

Females produce several large, brown, spindle-shaped egg sacs among the foliage, each up to about 5 cm long and containing hundreds of eggs. A single female can make multiple sacs in a season, helping ensure many offspring reach maturity.

Venom & Human Interactions

Like other araneid spiders, the Magnificent Spider uses venom to subdue insect prey. However, it is small, nocturnal and lives high in vegetation, so contact with people is rare. It is not regarded as dangerous to humans, and there are no reports of serious medical effects from bites. Observing it from a distance is safe and offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the most specialized hunting strategies among spiders.