Banded tunnelweb spider
Photo by Bryce McQuillan
Hexathele hochstetteri Ausserer
Order: Araneae
Family: Hexathelidae
Size range
- Large, bulky spider. Body length 25 mm.
Distribution
- North Island.
Life History
- Forms a silk–lined tunnel usually under the loose bark of fallen trees. Threads of silk extend from the entrance of the tunnel to act as triplines.
- Captures insects that knock into the triplines.
- Eats any insects, including large ground beetles.