Two-spined Spider
The Two-spined Spider is the common name for Poecilopachys australasia, a small,brightly coloured orb-weaver famous for the two horn-like projections on the back of the adult female’s abdomen.It belongs to the family Araneidae and is native to Australia, but has become well established in New Z...
St Andrews Cross Spider
The St Andrews Cross Spider is a striking orb-weaver best known for the bold“X”-shaped silk pattern it builds in the centre of its web. The name is used mainly forArgiope keyserlingi in eastern Australia, along with some closely relatedcross-marked Argiope species. When the adult female sits a...
Silver Orb-weaving Spiders
Silver orb-weaving spiders are not a single species but a loose group oforb-weaver spiders with conspicuous silvery or metallic markings on the body, especially on the abdomen.Most belong to the family Araneidae and include various garden orb-weavers and long-jawed orb-weaverswith silvery patter...
Magnificent Spider
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 femaleuses a single silk line with a sticky globule — a “bolas” — to snare moths attracted by a chemic...
Leaf-curling Spiders
Leaf-curling spiders are orb-weaving spiders that curl a leaf into a shelter within their web.They belong mainly to the family Araneidae, especially genera such as Phonognatha.These spiders spin an orb web between shrubs, branches or fences and pull a dead or green leaf into a tube-like retreat...
Golden Orb‑weaving Spiders
Golden orb‑weaving spiders are striking members of the family Araneidae that spin large orb webswith a characteristic golden or yellow‑brown sheen. They mainly belong to genera formerly grouped as Nephila and now oftentreated as Trichonephila. Their impressive webs are commonly seen in forest...
Garden Orb‑weaving Spiders
Garden orb‑weaving spiders are a loose group of species within the family Araneidae,including common genera such as Eriophora and Neoscona. They are best known for buildingclassic circular orb webs in gardens, shrubs and forest edges, where they are important nocturnalpredators of flying inse...
Bird‑dropping spiders
Bird‑dropping spiders are orbweavers that masquerade as bird droppings. The best‑known species isCelaenia excavata (family Araneidae) from Australasia.Ecology & BiologyMasquerade: mottled white/grey/brown/black patterning and irregular shape give a convincing “splatter” look.Prey luring: pri...