Cyrtophora moluccensis (Doleschall, 1857) Tent Spider)

Common in open woodland, parks and gardens in south east Queensland and coastal parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. The colourful abdominal markings of this large spider make it reasonably easy to recognize. Although it technically belongs to the orb-web spiders (family Araneidae), Cyrtophora moluccensis does not build an orb web. Its tent-like, highly complex non-sticky web is sometimes considered a precursor of the simplified orb-web. It has a distinct dome with a central peak where the spiders hide and threads above and and below the dome. The spiders often live in loose colonies where the webs may not be joined, but are often built very close each other. The spiders mostly hang in the bottom of the web, upside down. Egg sacs are strung above the dome. The male is much smaller than the female. ♀ 24mm ♂ 8mm

Female adult, in web, from behind
Spider with web and central retreat
Young adult female
Web
Adult female, hanging in web, from side
Adult female, hanging in web, from behind
Youngish female on stick
Male facing, closeup
Male facing, wide
Female adult Swan Bay North Stradbroke Island
Female adult Swan Bay North Stradbroke Island

Female adult, in web, from behind

Photo: Robert Whyte

Spider with web and central retreat

This handsome spider was photographed on Saturday, 19 January 2008 in a garden backing onto Fish Creek.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Young adult female

This pretty Tent Spider has greenish yellow markings, which may turn brown later in its life or may be just a colour variation. Young female tent spIders are generally green and white, becoming black and white and hairier with age.