Long-jawed spider

Fact Box Species: Tetragnatha nitens (JS) (or a related species) Family: Tetragnathidae Body length: female: 19 mm male: 13 mm Habitat: In a circular web or along twigs or wires with minimal webbing Toxicity: Uncertain but probably harmless

Male, close-up Male, close-up Another male Another male

This species builds a circular web in shrubs, usually near water courses, but may also be found with legs extended fore and aft along twigs or strands of fencing wire, or even on flat surfaces.

The chelicerae of the male are unusually large and have bizarre shapes with clasping spurs that look like teeth. The palps are also long but are thin and the male genital structures at the end of the palps are quite small.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Tetragnatha demissa and other Tetragnatha species.