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Project Noah Nature School
Dolophones conifera
This small flat-bodied spider was resting against a damaged and partly dry leaf, looking like a dried-up gall. A close-up of the upper surface of the abdomen shows disc-shaped structures that resemble the surface of a pine cone. The front legs were wrapped around the head and the hind legs around the abdomen, pointing backwards. This makes the spider look like a flat disc. When disturbed the spider moved on to a terminal leaf and wrapped itself around it ( pics 3, 4 & 5).
Spotted on a young eucalyptus leaf.
A very active spider. It rests during the day, wrapping itself around twigs or on bark. It builds a large vertical web at night and hunts prey.
There seems to be some variation in colour and pattern on body.
Family: Araneidae ( Orb Weavers)
Spotted on Nov 4, 2014
Submitted on Nov 4, 2014
2 Comments
Thanks Stephen.
That is a nice one, well spotted!