Backobourkia heroine

Fact Box Species: Backobourkia heroine (VF) Previous species name: Araneus heroine (RM) then Eriophora heroine (JS) Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 15 mm male: 7 mm Habitat: In a typical orb-shaped web between branches of shrubs; the spider may be found in the web in the evening but hiding in a retreat near the top of the web during the daylight hours; the legs are normally extended at night since the spider is feeding but retracted against the body in the daytime in the fashion typical of Eriophora species Toxicity: May cause mild illness but this spider is not aggressive towards humans

A side view Colour diffences Rear view View from above

The pattern of projections on the upper surfaces of the abdomen is characteristic of this species. Those on the closely related Eriophora pustulosa are similar but the latter species is often darker and has a more angular body shape.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Eriophora species, particularly Eriophora transmarina.