Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

Description:

A large Golden Silk Orb-Weaver spider with either young spiders or possibly males as the female is massively different in size to the males? You can see the golden yellow colour of the silk in the photo. I assume it is the Nephila constricta species as that is found in Africa? Spotted in Diani Beach, near Mombasa, Kenya. This was a fairly large specimen, approximately 4in legspan. Like many species of the superfamily Araneoidea, most of them have striped legs specialized for weaving (where their tips point inward, rather than outward as is the case with many wandering spiders). Although they have venom that they use on their prey they are not considered harmful to humans.

Notes:

The golden silk orb-weaver is named for the yellow colour of the spider silk used to construct their webs. Yellow threads of their web shine like gold in sunlight. Experimental evidence suggests that the silk's colour may serve a dual purpose: sunlit webs ensnare bees that are attracted to the bright yellow strands, whereas in shady spots, the yellow blends in with background foliage to act as a camouflage. The spider is able to adjust pigment intensity relative to background light levels and colour; the range of spectral reflectance is specifically adapted to insect vision. The webs of most Nephila spiders are complex, with a fine-meshed orb suspended in a maze of non-sticky barrier webs. As with many weavers of sticky spirals, the orb is renewed regularly if not daily, apparently because the stickiness of the orb declines with age. When weather is good (and no rain has damaged the orb web), subadults and adults often rebuild only a portion of the web. The spider removes and consumes the portion to be replaced, builds new radial elements, then spins the new spirals. This partial orb renewal is distinct from other orb-weaving spiders that usually replace the entire orb web. The web of Nephila antipodiana contains ant-repellent chemicals to protect the web.