Hamataliwa species

Fact Box Species: Hamataliwa species (Note: This proposed identification is based on information in a paper by Grimshaw -see notes below) Family: Oxyopidae Body length: female: 3 mm male: about 3 mm Habitat: Unlike most oxyopid species which are usually found in green garden shrubs this spider seems to prefer to sit on dead sticks that match it in colour, and it also is said to build fine webs that can only be seen on dewy mornings Toxicity: Unknown; may be too small to cause significant harm to a human

Another view A female Side view With its egg sac

An unusual feature of this species is the highly arched head region on which its 8 eyes are located.

This spider is considered to be a Hamataliwa species based on the following paper:

Grimshaw J.F. (1989) "The genus Hamataliwa Keyserling (Araneidae: Oxyopidae) in Australia with description of two new species" J. Aust. ent. Soc., 28, 181-186. It has similarities with the two known species: H. cooki and H. monroei although both of these are said to be restricted to the northern parts of Australia. The small group of stiff hairs projecting from the centre of the eye group suggest it is actually H. cooki.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: None.