These small spiders (females to 3mm, males to 2.5mm) live on the edges of webs of large orb-weavers, notably Nephila species, but also others. The abdomen reflects silvery light like a dewdrop. They steal food from the host spider, a trait called kleptoparasitism. The female makes globular-shaped papery brown egg-sac diameter 4 mm similar to the whip spider with around 30 white eggs. They attach the sac at the outside of the web or just outside the web on twigs of leaves. The species was named in 1880 by O.P.-Cambridge.
Female from above
Photo: Robert Whyte
Female side on
Photo: Robert Whyte
Male
Photo: Robert Whyte
Melanic (dark) form or stage
This is a female (about 3.5 mm body length) found on the edge of the web of an orb-weaver. Mostly black with silvery patches.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Female
Photo: Robert Whyte