#orbweaving spider

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#3645 - Araneus circulissparsus - Speckled Orbweaver

Originally described as Epeira circulissparsa by Keyserling, in 1887.

You'd think the colour would be more worthy of naming it after, but there's at least two other Araneus species in Perth that are green. Although neither of them are named after the colour, either.

Plus, the actual pattern on this one can be quite variable - many have vivid red, yellow and white marks on the abdomen. The specific epithet refers to that, and is derived from the Latin for 'scattered circles'.

Either way, the species is widespread across Eastern and SW Australia, and spends the day hiding among foliage. No surprises there, at least.

Erskine Lakes, Sth. of Perth.

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#3406 - Celaenia excavata - Common Bird-dropping Spider

A common orbweaver from many parts of Australia, but now naturalised in New Zealand as well. Despite being an orbweaver, they don't build webs - instead they produce a single strand of silk loaded with chemicals that mimic moth sex pheromones, and seize any hopeful males that show up. This is extremely effective, and their eggsacs are large and numerous because of all the food they get.

photo by Fir0002 on Wiki.

Also, they resemble a large blob of birdshit.

Aubin Grove, Perth.

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#2839 - Genus Zealaranea

Probably the Fat Orb, Z. crassa, originally described as Epeira crassa French polymath Charles Athanase Walckenaer (1771 – 1852), in 1841. The four species in the genus are all NZ endemics, with crassa common in gorse and manuka scrub.

OPERA, Otago Peninsula, Aotearoa New Zealand

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#2268 - Zygiella x-notata - Silver-sided Sector Spider

AKA Missing-sector Orbweaver.

Native to parts of Europe, but now found in many other parts of the world, often in urban areas. The webs are distnguished from other common orbweavers by the sector at the top of the web where the spiders do not install the sticky spiral line, instead doubling back the way they came. Other than that, much like other orbweavers in habit - building their webs in the evening and hiding during the day.

Taupo, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand