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Project Noah Nature School
Cyrtophora moluccensis
Striking abdominal markings make this large spider easy to recognize. Check the whole series to see the marvelous tent-like structure built by this spider with its huge egg sac in the middle.
Dome-like web between bushes in suburban garden planted with natives. Found in open woodland, parks and gardens. Distribution: Asia (India to Japan), Australia.
This female spider is seen from below and behind on the the first 2 shots. The last 2 show how it's hanging upside-down at the bottom of its egg sac. While technically belonging to the orb-web spiders (family Araneidae), Cyrtophora moluccensis does not build an orb web. Its web is a tent-like and highly complex, and is considered a precursor of the simplified orb-web. It has a distinct dome with a central peak where the spiders hide and threads above and and below the dome. The male is much smaller than the female. ♀ 24mm ♂ 8mm. These spiders can build massive colonies of 50-60 webs between trees.
Spotted on Apr 9, 2013
Submitted on May 17, 2013
11 Comments
Thanks Lisa :-)
Fabulous spider! Terrific series Danielle!
Thanks Shanna!
Great shots Daniele.
Added a 5th picture showing the spider's egg sac in an abandoned web.
Thanks Satyen!
Awesome shots of the spider and the web!
Thanks! Good luck with the eels! The short-finned eels are carnivorous.
Good for you. Like the gardener, tell the tenants 'do not disturb!' I'm off to UQ tomorrow to try and spot the eels in the lake. Wish me luck. I wonder what they would like to eat?
Thanks Neil! They're wonderful aren't they? While I crawled under I couldn't get closer without touching the web and I didn't want to stress the spider. My gardener is under strict instructions not to disturb her! Not so sure what new tenants will think though :-(
Daniele, these are awesome photos. I love that you've gone under the web to show the top of the spider. Very impressive, and beautiful clarity. One of my favourite spiders.