Nephila pilipes

(Fabricius, 1793)

Vernacular names
English : Giant golden orb weaver
French : Néphile géante d’Asie

Classification
Class : Arachnida
Order : Araneae
Family : Araneidae
Notes : No subspecies known. Subspecies were previously recognized but now some are split and others invalidated.

Identification
One of the biggest spider species, reaching a body length of 4.7 cm and a legspan of 10 cm. Males are much smaller and all red, reaching 1 cm. Two thick longitudinal yellow lines on back and sometimes thin wavy yellow lines on flanks.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in South East Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Philippines, Australia and Vanuatu. It lives in primary and secondary forests, woodlands and gardens.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a huge range and is at least locally abundant. It can live well in suburban gardens and parks.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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