Bizarre spiders
Whip spider (Ariamnes colubrinus, family Theridiidae)
Identification
All brown. Long slender stick like body. Length: Up to 35mm.
Distribution
Bushland and suburbs of eastern Australia.
Web
Often found on single thread.
Bite
None recorded
Notes
Despite their fragile appearance, these spiders aggressively hunt much larger web building spiders like the Leaf-curling spider (Phonognatha graeffei) on their webs.
Scorpion Tailed spider (Arachnura higginsi, family Araneidae)
Identification
Spiders with small head and long body which is wide at front and narrows to small 4 pronged tail.
Highly variable colour, from dull brown to grey, through bright yellow, or with strong blue markings.
Length: Body length about 25mm.
Distribution
Eastern Australia in open forest, suburbs.
Web
Circular or orb web in which the spiders rests in the centre during the day.
Bite
None recorded
Notes
The tail is thought to be used as an attractant to insects but this has not been supported by study.
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