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Araneus arenaceus

Dr Volker Framenau wrote after seeing some of these photos: "These seem to be 'Araneus' arenaceus or allied, there are about five of so very similar species out there and the type material of A. arenaceus in the Hamburg University Museum (as far as I can remember) actually contains at least two species. And of course, these are not Araneus, but a new undescribed genus. Male A. arenaceus are actually quite similar to the females, both in size and pattern. The species of this group can be distinguished by the really 'sharp' frontal corners of the abdomen, often with a white band in between. The dark patch in the middle of the abdomen might be present or not. These spiders are interestingly not too often collected, I have all of the museum specimens here in Perth at the moment to write a paper on them. They seem to be commonly found sitting on tree stems, but that might not be the case all the time."

Female adult, facing


Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, red coloured


Thanks to Dr Robert Raven Qld Museum for advice on the ID.

Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, high peaked


Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, high peaked


Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, pregnant


How fat can an A. arenaceus get?

Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, side on


Araneus arenaceus
Photo: Robert Whyte

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