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Bark spider

Caerostris sp.

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Possible Darwin's bark spider (Caerostris darwini), but I am not sure if that one exists in the area.

Body length about 3-4 cm

Habitat:

Fishing trail. Next to Mlawula river, found at the edge of an Riverine Forest.

Species ID Suggestions

Bark spider

Caerostris vicina
KateBraun
1

Comments (6)
KateBraun
Identification by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.
Tiz
Thank you for the Info Kate, and your nice comment Mauna !!
KateBraun
This is a species of Caerostris, possibly C. sexcuspidata (which seems to be the most common in Swaziland). Some interesting information from "Spiders of the Grassland Biome" (published by South African Agricultural Research Council, 2013): "The orb web is made between trees, usually during the night, and is removed early in the morning. The bridge line is usually left intact and used again. The spiders rest during the day on the bark of the tree to which the bridge line is attached."
Tiz
You really should go here! It is a very small and beautiful country, with a lot of nature reserves where you can treck without a guide :) Thank you for the guide. I did not see it before! And perhaps I should change the first and the second photo :) It is also great to have a spider expert in the PN team, Alan.
AlanThornhill
Wow, another amazing looking spider from Swaziland - I'll have to go there one day. The second photo is breathtaking. In case you haven't already seen it here is a guide to the genus in southern Africa - http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/arachnids/spiders/araneidae/caerostris.htm

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Mission
Swaziland Guide
Photographed
PublishedMarch 9, 2014

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