Box kite spider (Isoxya sp.)

Thrilled to find this in my garden recently although I have yet to be able to positively identify it even though there are only 5 species in South Africa
Isoxya belongs to the family of orb weavers Araneidea. These are small spiders measuring 5-7mm with the male being smaller than the female.

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Given that you discover so many hard to identify spiders in your country, I'm wondering if there's any good official literature available? I experience so often that much zoology knowledge is still hidden in books, and not available online. Posted 9 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Surprisingly, I have the most up to date book written by the leading expert in SA and belong to a spider club who have the most authoritative people in the field of South African spiders. I think the problem is lack of research, especially in my area. New species are being found constantly. There is also the problem of variations. The photos in the books and on the internet could be markedly different to the one you are looking at but still be the same. I am constantly being told as well that it is insanely difficult to get any spider down to species level as more often than not it will require examination under a microscope. Therefore I only create a species on here if I am pretty certain. This one I am not, it could be a variation of one of three or even a new species. Its a shame, I hate having unidentified photos. Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks for explaining. Don't worry about the species missing, I have the same feeling on some of my photos, but we all know you do everything reasonable as well as unreasonable to get them identified :) Posted 9 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

Awesome, my favorite spider, well done Claire. Posted 5 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you! They are pretty fantastic, I so miss the spiders in South Africa, now back in the UK I am trying to learn all the British ones, but so far, very few in my garden. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Paul Dirksen
    
    Lion
    
    If there are very few in your garden, then you have to go into the fields late summer, you might be surprised. Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Claire Hamilton
      
      Lion
      
      I shall try that, thank you! Posted 5 years ago

The Isoxya tabulata

One of 5 species of box kite spiders found in South Africa.
The abdomen is brightly decorated with yellow and orange. Carapace and legs dark brown. Female 5-6mm the male being smaller. These spiders make orb webs between vegetation.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by Claire Hamilton