an amazing looking spider, what is it???

cully666 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 06:22 AM

hi i was camping at the weekend and spotted this spider. i have no idea what the name of it was but it was so brightly coloured i was amazed, wondered if it was native or not, sorry the image is not the best but my camera was stuggling with low light conditions, here is a link to the image as ive tried upl;oadingit to the Gallery but its too large..

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

so lets see what you know about it...

regards

cully

The Woodman · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 08:08 AM

Could this be the Cucumber Spider - Araiella cucurbitina?

There some nice images in the Gallery like this one..

Pigeon feather · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 08:14 AM

I'm thinking poss garden spider there are plenty of that size around at the mo though they do get quite a bit bigger! their colours are very variable, I have seen one completely bright orange!

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 01:26 PM

Afternoon Cully, and welcome to WAB!

Absolutely an Araniella - but you need to check the palps/epigyne for a species-level resolution.

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 05:02 PM

It's likely an Araniella cucurbitina male, they have red and black bands on the legs. I got a big mature one a few days ago. You can just see the black mark around the edge of the carapace.

Janet

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 08:09 PM

...to the best of my knowledge, so does A. opisthographa.

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...to the best of my knowledge, so does A. opisthographa.

Maybe, but that isn't as common as A. cucurbitina. So it's probably cucurbitina.

Araniella opisthographa

cully666 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 06:06 AM

defiantly a orb weaver spider, brilliant, thanks for all your help guys. you have a interesting forum and website, i think i'll be staying here for a while..