''Herennia multipuncta'', commonly known as the ornamental tree trunk spider, is a species of spider in the family Nephilidae native to Asia. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, the female being much larger than the male. It weaves a small web on the trunk of a tree or the wall of a building and is well camouflaged by its dappled colouration.
Similar species: Spiders
By nightjar6
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Uploaded Dec 19, 2015. Captured in National Park - Kanheri Caves Rd, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400101, India.
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"Some spiders, such as ornamental tree trunk spiders, have a strange and disturbing post-mating ritual. During mating, the males use their palps, which function as the spider's penis, to insert sperm into the female's receptacles. Afterwards, many males will chew their palps off— leaving them inside the female! This macabre act doesn't kill the spider, but it does mean that he has to live the rest of his live as a eunuch. Why would any male willingly bite off his own genitals, thus making himself sterile? Well, apparently, there are benefits. Several males can fertilize the same batch of eggs; so, by leaving his palps behind, a male plugs up the female and ensures that he is the only "spider daddy".
After mating, the male continues to protect his reproductive investment by staying with the female to fight off any potential rival males. Also, it seems that lugging genitalia around is hard work for a spider. By chewing off their genitals, males gain physical agility and superior endurance. They become more aggressive and are better fighters. As a result, they are more successful in defending their mate should any other male start giving her the spider-eye. A final advantage for males is that by only mating once, they significantly lower their risk of being eaten by hungry females, who aren't seeking a lasting relationship. Love isn't always pretty, and for spiders, sex seems to resemble war more than love! {Ornamental tree trunk spider (Herennia multipuncta/ornatissima) spotted in India by JungleDragon user, nightjar6} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago