A small orb weaver found in Brisbane, South East Queensland, probably present in lush areas all along the central section of eastern coastal Australia. It has a bright blue, sometimes greenish abdomen with a white streak, fringed with reddish brown, across the leading edge. The underneath is reddish brown and green, a good camouflage in foliage. The blue colour may be to camouflage against the sky, as it sits rather exposed in its web during the day on the fringes of trees. ♀ 8mm ♂ 4mm
- From above, legs extended
- Side view showing underneath, 11 February 2008
- Underneath showing epigynum
- From above, strong blue colour
- Side on, showing dorsal surface
- Juvenile from above
- Juvenile from above
- Female, body length 3mm
- Female, body length 4mm facing
- Female, body length 4mm from behind
- Female, body length 4mm from above
- Thanks
From above, legs extended
This specimen was found on a minimal web (nearly all removed) between a walkbridge and a Waterhousea at 7am. On the web the abdomen appeared a much brighter blue, the colour attracting us to the presence of the spider in the first place.
Side view showing underneath, 11 February 2008
Web between a Backhousia myrtifolia (Cinnamon Myrtle) and the walkbridge over Fish Creek in Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap.
Underneath showing epigynum
From above, strong blue colour
This specimen was a little larger than others we had seen previously. It was still in its web at 6.45am. This photo shows how strong the blue colouration can be, hard to capture in photos.
Side on, showing dorsal surface
Juvenile from above
This small bright green spider body length about 1mm was on a Lilly Pilly.
Juvenile from above
Female, body length 3mm
Collected late June 2009 in a patch of good quality remant dry rainforest known as "The Island" on the northern side of the junction of Fish and Enoggera Creeks, Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap. Body length: 4mm.
Female, body length 4mm facing
Female, body length 4mm from behind
Female, body length 4mm from above
Thanks
- Dr Robert Raven - Senior Curator (Arachnida) Queensland Museum
- Dr Volker W. Framenau - Research Fellow - Short-Range Endemic Fauna, Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Western Australian Museum