Flower Spiders

Flower spiders sit within flowerheads with their back legs anchored to the petals and their front pairs of legs open, awaiting passing prey. When a fly, bee or even wasp lands on the flower, the spider grabs it and quickly bites it in the back of the neck, immediately immobilising it.

DESCRIPTION

The round abdomens of flower spiders are usually white or pale yellow, with patterns of green, pink or red. The cephalothorax may be translucent yellow or green, as are the long legs. There are more than 30 Australian species belonging to this group.

LIFE HISTORY

The flat, white egg sac is usually built by the female underneath a leaf or within a folded leaf. There are generally less than 40 eggs per sac and they take about two weeks to hatch.

BEHAVIOUR

Adults spend their time sitting immobile on the edge of a flower, awaiting prey such as flies, bees, plant bugs and even other spiders. Occasionally more than one flower spider may be seen hunting at the same flowerhead. The spider usually chooses flowers of similar colour to itself, remaining undetected bu predators as well as prey.

HABITAT

Found in heathlands, woodlands, dry and wet forest and suburban areas.

VENOM

Flower spiders are not known to bite.

DISTRIBUTION

All States and Territories

SIZE

Male body length: 3-5mm

Female body length: 4-8mm