Dome Tent Spider in Web

17th March 2016

DOME TENT SPIDER (Cyrtophora moluccensis (Doleschall, 1857)

This beautiful spider is actually an "orb-weaver" however it's web differs from other orb weavers and is characteristic of the species, being a "dome shape" built horizontally, with center of the web or the "hub" pulled up vertically to give the tent like appearance.  Dome Tent Spiders apparently always build their webs in shrubs and dense bushes, and never over walkways or tracks.  The web can last for around two weeks at which time the spider re-builds it.  The female perches upside-down at the very top of the tent day and night while the much smaller male is usually at the edge of the tent near foliage. 

This particular Dome Tent Spider was observed in a very spiky shrub at Jarowair and it has been in the same spot for a few weeks now.  This is the first time that I have noticed this species of spider here.  The particular tree it is using is an insect haven at the moment, with many types of spiders and wasps calling it home.

J.G.

(I.D. Source: Australian Spiders in Colour by Ramon Mascord 1970 & Brisbane Insects.com)

DOME TENT SPIDER (Cyrtophora moluccensis) at Jarowair - side view showing the "horns" on it's back.

DOME TENT SPIDER (Cyrtophora moluccensis) at Jarowair

Dome Tent Web of the DOME TENT SPIDER (Cyrtophora moluccensis) at Jarowair

DOME TENT SPIDER (Cyrtophora moluccensis) at Jarowair