One of Australia's largest Sparassids (leg spans exceeding 140mm), the Social Huntsman is found in the south-west and east of mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. A body flatter than most Sparassids with laterigrade legs (moves forward and sideways equally well) allows this spider to occupy very tight spaces. Entering Houses, occupying hollows and cracks in trees this species is the only huntsman ever described as 'social' with family colonies of up to 300 individuals recorded. ♀ 30-45mm ♂ 20-30mm.
- Above - Bakara CP, SA
- Above - Bakara CP, SA
- Family colony entering hollow - Bakara CP, SA
- Front - Morgan CP, SA.
Above - Bakara CP, SA
Above - Bakara CP, SA
Family colony entering hollow - Bakara CP, SA
Front - Morgan CP, SA.
References
Walckenaer, C. A. (1837) Histoire naturelle des insectes. Aptères: Paris 1: 1-682
Rowell, D.M. and Aviles, L. (1995) Sociality in a bark-dwelling huntsman spider from Australia, Delena cancerides Walckenaer (Araneae:Sparassidae). Ins.Soc. 42: 287-302 (1995)