Scorpion-tailed spider

Fact Box Species: Arachnura species (RM) Family: Araneidae Body length: female: 9 mm male: uncertain Habitat: Probably a small orb web Toxicity: Probably harmless to humans

The spider shown on this page was photographed in North Queensland and closely resembles an Arachnura species as presented by Ramon Mascord in his 1980 Spiders of Australia booklet. Its body and legs are mostly a matt black colour and it is also distinguished from other Australian Arachnura species by some white patches and lines on its upper abdomen and a rectangle of four pale peaks. It also has a more furry appearance than other common Arachnura species.

Arachnura species are given the common name of scorpion-tailed spider because they have a tail at the end of the abdomen like that of a scorpion. This particular Arachnura species tends to rest in association with a string of insect and plant debris. It also has the conventional orb shaped web of most araneids.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Arachnura higginsi.