ARANEIDAE - ORB-WEB WEAVING SPIDER

St. Andrew's Cross spider

FACT FILE - 294

Family

Araneidae

Species

Argiope keyserlingi
Karsch, 1878

Body Length

Female: 14mm
Male: 5mm

Habitat

Builds a roughly circular orb web between shrubs. Characterised by four zig-zigged stripes of thickened web forming a diagonal cross.

Toxicity

A non-aggressive spider. Not considered to be harmful to humans.

Click on images to enlarge.

2941

Female.

29411

Male.
Photo: ©Patrick Calmels.

29410

Female on web showing the St. Andrew's Cross which gives the spider its name.

2942

Female

2944

Female. Ventral view

2945

Female. Image stacked photo.

2946

Egg sac.

2947

Female. Ventral view

29412

Female epigyne.

2948

Spiderling. Just emerged from egg sac.

2949

Newly hatched spiderlings.
This spider is described as being from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and appears to be only a recent arrival in Tasmania.