Poltys illepidus

Fact Box Species: Poltys illepidus (Helen Smith) Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 11 mm male: 2 mm Habitat: On bark or twigs in eucalypt forests Toxicity: Uncertain; not aggressive and may be too small to cause serious illness in humans

From above Other views Female side view Spider in web

This spider has good camouflage when resting on bark surfaces and has excellent masking colours. Typically, the upper surface of the abdomen has a sharp projection on each side, and when the spider is sitting with legs drawn up tightly against the carapace the overall effect is that of a broken stick. This spider, like other Poltys species, adopts an upright resting posture and also draws up its legs to cover the entire carapace apart for the eyes, which are on a short stalk.

P. illepidus makes a fluffy yellow egg sac which may be partly hidden in a rolled up leaf.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Poltys laciniosus, Philoponella species and Heurodes turrita. For more information on Australian Poltys species contact Helen Smith, Arachnology Section, The Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney NSW 2010.