Cosmophasis micarioides (L. Koch, 1880) Grainy Cosmophasis

A common, abundant and extremely variable species across northern Australia in well-vegetated areas, whose range seems to be extending southward. The name refers to the sparkling, "micaceus" scales on the surface of the body, reflecting different colours when viewed from different angles. The female can feature combinations of orange, black, red or blue-green, usually with metallic bands across the cephalothorax. The males look like females until they become sub adult, when they look like a cross between the female and the adult male. The adult male has often been misidentified as Cosmophasis micans which is a synonym of C. thalassina and C. thalassina itself. You can recognise C. micarioides males by their black face lines extending vertically a little below the eyes and above the eyes, when viewed face on. C. micarioides also has thin "rivers" of black in the white cheek hairs, and very strong dark bands across the top of the head, which extend all the way down to the rim of the caput (upper part of the cephalothorax). Patterns on the abdomen of white lines and notches are variable and not diagnostic. To make certain of your identification you need to look at the male palp which is very different from the other possible species. Recent reports (see the photos by Andreas Lambrianides below) indicate a significant range extension into South East Queensland. ♀ 6mm ♂ 5mm