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Nephila kuhlii or pilipes - you choose This specimen is half way between kuhlii and pilipes. I have no idea what to call it. I suspect kuhlii and pilipes are the same species.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/38244/nephila_kuhlii.html" title="Nephila kuhlii"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/38244_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=cB0uCbqB7359krRHglWtErDiYl0%3D" width="200" height="200" alt="Nephila kuhlii Here is a very interesting spider. This image fits the visual definition of the kuhlii; black body, red legs. I also link a closer look at the side view.<br /> <br /> BUT, then there is the third linked view. It still has the red legs and black knees, but the abdomen dorsal kind of looks more like pilipes. In fact, all the features of pilipes are actually ghosted in on kuhlii.<br /> <br /> Personally, I do not believe that kuhlii is a separate species. I cannot say if they are interbreeding, as the males of both specimens look identical. I cannot explain what is going on, but some butterflies display color variations within species, I think that this is a similar thing. I could get images for the entire spectrum between full kuhlii and pilipes.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38245/spider_gow_black_8394.html<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38246/spider_kuhlii_3539.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Nephila kuhlii,Summer,West Java,giant wood spider,golden orb weaver,kuhlii,nephila,pilipes" /></a></figure> Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Nephila pilipes,Northern Golden Orb Weaver,West Java,giant wood spider,golden orb weaver,kuhlii,nephila,pilipes Click/tap to enlarge

Nephila kuhlii or pilipes - you choose

This specimen is half way between kuhlii and pilipes. I have no idea what to call it. I suspect kuhlii and pilipes are the same species.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

Nephila kuhlii Here is a very interesting spider. This image fits the visual definition of the kuhlii; black body, red legs. I also link a closer look at the side view.<br /> <br /> BUT, then there is the third linked view. It still has the red legs and black knees, but the abdomen dorsal kind of looks more like pilipes. In fact, all the features of pilipes are actually ghosted in on kuhlii.<br /> <br /> Personally, I do not believe that kuhlii is a separate species. I cannot say if they are interbreeding, as the males of both specimens look identical. I cannot explain what is going on, but some butterflies display color variations within species, I think that this is a similar thing. I could get images for the entire spectrum between full kuhlii and pilipes.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38245/spider_gow_black_8394.html<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38246/spider_kuhlii_3539.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Nephila kuhlii,Summer,West Java,giant wood spider,golden orb weaver,kuhlii,nephila,pilipes

    comments (2)

  1. View a150401d's profile
    a150401d
    Green Fly
    View Green Fly class
    interesting! i found a similar looking individual in Bogor, West Java. Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Vodkaman's profile
      Vodkaman
      Lion
      View Lion class
      You should post it up, let's have a look. Posted 5 years ago

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The Giant Golden Orbweaver

"Nephila pilipes" is a species of golden orb-web spider. It resides all over countries in East and Southeast Asia as well as Oceania. It is commonly found in primary and secondary forests and gardens.

Info 82 0
Similar species: Spiders
Species identified by Vodkaman
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By Vodkaman

All rights reserved
Uploaded Apr 27, 2016. Captured Jun 13, 2013 07:39 in Jl. Lavender No.8, Ciwaruga, Parongpong, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat, Indonesia.
country flag of Indonesia Explore Indonesia 10,751 2,570 0
  • NIKON D7000
  • f/8.0
  • 1/60s
  • ISO200
  • 105mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.