Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Golden orbweb spider

Nephila edulis (Koch)


Order: Araneae
Family: Tetragnathidae

Size range

  • Large spider, body length of female 24 mm

Distribution

  • From Australia
  • Occasionally found in NZ, probably doesn’t breed here

Life History

  • Forms a very large web, up to two metres in diameter, attached to buildings, shrubs, or between trees
  • Silk strands of web are golden in colour
  • Catches any large flying insects
  • Eggsac is also bound in golden silk

Additional images