Arkys alatus

Fact Box Species: Arkys alatus (Aust. Museum) Previous species name: Arcys alatus (RM) Family: Arkyidae formerly Araneidae Body length: female: about 6 mm male: perhaps 3 mm Habitat: This spider probably makes little use of a web but instead hides among green leaves and small twigs and uses its shape and colouring as camouflage to ambush insects Toxicity: Unknown, but this is a small and non-aggressive spider

Another view

The most obvious visible characteristic of this small araneid is the presence of two projections extending backwards and sideways from the abdomen as well as an elaborate pattern of lateral spines on the first two pairs of legs. Also noteworthy are the eyes, two pairs of which are on lateral projections.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Arkys furcatus.