This rather gentle and timid spider, males to 6mm, females possibly larger, is common in most habitats throughout Australia and New Zealand, but not commonly collected. The spine on the tibia of leg two and the dotted colouration of the legs give the male of the species away, otherwise it resembles some Araneus and Eriophora species. The female builds an horizontal orb-web, usually in grassy vegetation. When handled, this spider will often play dead, and on the move walks with an graceful, but exaggerated gait. This is the only described Novakiella but there is also a rare second, undescribed Novakiella species out there (Volker Framenau, pers. comm.) The name probably means "little Novak", and may be a comparitive description or in honour of someone who was indeed a little Novak. It was originally named Epeira tri-tuberculata by Urquhart in 1887. It was described by its current name in 1993 by Court and Foster following Roewer's work in 1942. Thanks to Dr Volker Framenau for ID.
- Adult male facing
- From above showing abdomen
- Dark male facing, showing palps
- Dark male from above
- Wide shot of dark male showing both megaspines
- Female, pregnant
- Female, pregnant, side view
- Female, underneath showing epigynum
- Egg sac
- Female after laying eggs, facing
Adult male facing
From above showing abdomen
Dark male facing, showing palps
Dark male from above
Wide shot of dark male showing both megaspines
Female, pregnant
Female, pregnant, side view
Female, underneath showing epigynum
Egg sac
Female after laying eggs, facing
Female after laying eggs, from above
