A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Golden Orb Weaver Spider ( Nephila edulis )
It has a large body size variability, females can reach a body length of about 23 millimetres, males about 6 mm. The cephalothorax is black with a white pattern on the back, and a yellow underside; the abdomen is grey to brown. The web is about 1 metre in diameter and protected on one or both sides by a strong "barrier" web. N. edulis breeds from February to May, and produces an average of 380 eggs.
is a species of large spider of the Nephilidae family. It is referred to the common name edible golden silk spider or golden silk orb-weaver. It occurs widely in Australia, where it is found in both tropical and temperate regions, and in parts of New Guinea and New Caledonia.
Imagine walking through the bush on dusk straight into one of these!
Spotted on Nov 10, 2011
Submitted on Nov 10, 2011
4 Comments
Thanks CarolSnowMilne for comment, Funny what you find when you just LOOK! I could not believe the size, My First! It's body was about easy 3-4cm.Thought it was a leaf hanging in web from distant and Cheers for Changing Cat. AshishNimkar!
Jason I have changed category of this spotting as Arthropods...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider
Category must be Arthropods...!!
I never cared for spiders until I discovered these cool orb weavers. Afraid at first. Now very fascinated. They last photo brings it altogether and creates an emotional response in the viewer. Thanks!