Name that spider!

[BilliGoatsGruff]

I found this interesting specimen in our carport today, just as I was getting ready to do the school run. Its body measures 2cm long and from the tip of one leg to the other it is roughly 6cm.

[firstlight]

Looks a lot like a net casting spider, however I don't see it with a net.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/category/spiders/net-casting-spiders/

[firstlight]

Another link to one that looks a lot like yours.
http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1528

[BilliGoatsGruff]

A Google image search suggest that it is, but I never saw a net anywhere nearby. Maybe I'll have another look.

[sil]

thinking Argiope Protensa

[BilliGoatsGruff]

So I think you're right, Tony. The markings and shape looked exactly like a net-casting spider. Perhaps if I go out tonight I'll get to see its bet in action.

[firstlight]

just doing a lazy Google it seems to be very similar to a male Deinopis subrufa.

Cleverer bug people than I will correct me I suppose. We used to have a couple that roamed around here many years ago, but we don't see them much anymore. Might have ended as lunch to some of the bird families around here.

Golden orbs on the other hand...

As an aside we once had a spider string a long web from the house to the letterbox then proceeded to hang upside down from the middle by it's rear four legs. Looked like it was just hanging around to snatch something out of the air. Fascinating really.

[BilliGoatsGruff]

Please excuse my poor macro shot, but I got a photo of its eyes the other day. I think you might be spot on, Tony. The size and markings match that of the male Deinopis Subrufa.

It vanished that night and I haven't been able to find it since, so I missed the opportunity to see cast its net.

Argiope Protensa has a different shaped abdomen, Sil, and its legs have more of a pointed appearance. Thanks for the suggestion :)

[firstlight]

Yeah, it had that look.

Pity you could't get a shot of the really BIG eyes forward of the head. Some of the shots on the web are impressive.

We had them show up of and on for a while a few years ago, but we haven't seen them for a while. On he other hand, you need to look around pretty carefully because they just look like stick if the surounding are not man-made.

Happy hunting

[BilliGoatsGruff]

I was reading up on them and it's not really known if they're aggressive or deadly, so I wasn't game enough to get too close to its face.

I'll keep a look out to see if it comes back. They're extremely good at blending in with the scenery.