Nephila edulis soldiering on

The Australian Golden Orb Weaver; female, gravid...down to six legs but still soldiering on. 35 mm body length.

NB image has been flipped, she was positioned on her web facing downward

comments (3)

Christine Young

Lion

I wonder if she recently lost her legs because they will regenerate a little at a time, right? Posted 7 years ago
1. Ruth Spigelman
  
  Lion
  
  I never got to find out Christine...I had had this beautiful girl on a massive web in my garden for 9 glorious weeks. Watched and observed, photographed, seen her grow. Then, she fell pregnant! I was so excited. I have a friend who helps me with the larger projects in the garden and I always have to be careful to let him know of any 'projects' I have on the go...one fateful morning when I was out doing my chores, he came by unannounced to do some work. That afternoon, I found that both she and her web were completely gone :( Without a reminder, the friend had forged ahead and by accident, trashed her environment. I was so sad. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    That's awesome that you were able to watch her for so long, but so sad that her habitat was lost despite good intentions. Posted 7 years ago

The Nephila edulis

''Nephila edulis'' is a species of large spider of the Nephilidae family. It is referred to the common name edible golden silk spider or golden silk orb-weaver. They are commonly found in Australia, where it is found in both tropical and temperate regions, and in parts of New Guinea and New Caledonia.

It has a large body size variability, females can reach a body length of up to 40 millimetres, males about 7 mm. The cephalothorax is black with a white pattern on the back, and a.. more

Info 10 0

Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by Ruth Spigelman