ARANEIDAE - ORB WEB WEAVING SPIDER

FACT FILE - 166

Family

Araneidae

Species

Cyrtophora hirta
L. Koch, 1872

Body Length

Female: 9mm
Male: 5mm

Habitat

Builds a circular tent web in low shrubs. Beneath the tent is a disorganised criss-cross of web. Hanging centrally beneath the tent is a green silk vertical tube open at the bottom. Small leaves are adhered to the tube.

Toxicity

Unknown. Considered to be too small to be harmful to humans.

Click on images to enlarge.

1661

Female, with orange colour variation.

1662

Female, with white colour variation.

1663

Female, with white and orange colour variation.

1665

Female, with grey colour variation.

1668

15cm diameter tent web covered in dew.
Photo:©Dr Helen Robertson

1664

Green silk retreat under the tent canopy. Retreat contained a large number of juveniles.

1667

1mm long juvenile.

1666

Female epigyne.