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Argiope keyserlingi
This beautiful spider had a body about 15 mm long with the dorsal aspect of the abdomen showing pale brown and cream bands. The spider was seen resting in the centre of the web with the first two pairs of legs pointing forwards and the other two, backwards. The fine web had a cross-shaped stabilimentum which is a web decoration of zig-zagging ribbons of fine silk. This cross shape gives the spider its common name. The ventral side of the abdomen showed a cream stripe on either side of the midline (pics 3 &4). The spider had its face against a well encased prey.
Spotted on native grass ( Gahnia) in a reserve.
This species is seen in eastern Australia in a variety of ecological habitats - rainforest edges, gardens, open forest and heath land.
The function of the stabilimentum is unclear with some saying that it helps attract prey while others say that it is helps to reduce excessive damage to the web.
Males appear to be less brightly coloured and are much smaller in size being only 5 mm in length.
Young spiders are said to make a circular stabilimentum that they hide under.
Family:Argiopinae
Spotted on Feb 18, 2015
Submitted on Feb 18, 2015
3 Comments
Thank you for your kind comments Mary and armadeus.4.
Oh my...incredible pics Leuba! Thank you for sharing :)
Amazing photos! thanks for sharing.