Red-legged golden orb-web spider

Nephila inaurata

The red-legged golden orb-web spider (Nephila inaurata) is a species of golden orb-web spider. It lives in Southern Africa and several islands in the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, the Seychelles, Réunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues). Like other spiders in the family Nephilidae it can weave webs so strong that sometimes even birds and bats get caught. Its webs can be found in damp places such as large trees and unpolluted areas to which no cars have access; normally several are strung together to form enormous "homes" so as to cover as much surface area as possible.
Red-legged golden orb-web spider, Ranomafana, Madagascar Likely the madagascariensis subspecies. Known for their oversized and super strong web which sometimes even get birds and bats stuck in it. Speaking of oversized -> female: 60mm, male: 2mm. Africa,Madagascar,Madagascar 2019,Nephila inaurata,Ranomafana National Park,Red-legged golden orb-web spider,World

Appearance

This species is commonly kept in captivity. Egg sacks the size of a small marble are made of thick silk and contain 100-200 eggs which hatch after two months. They start out with a 2mm legspan and grow rapidly. Males mature in one to two months depending on the form. A small percentage of males mature early and resemble a small, black crab spider with only an 8-10mm legspan. Most males mature later and resemble the form of the female but have very little color and only a 25-30mm legspan. Mature males are rarely, if ever, observed feeding. Females mature in four months with an approximate 100mm legspan.
Juvenile Nephila inaurata madagascariensis - upperside, Palmarium, Madagascar https://www.jungledragon.com/image/88616/nephila_sp._-_underside_palmarium_madagascar.html Nephila inaurata madagascariensis sub species. This is a juvenile based on its all-black legs. Africa,Madagascar,Madagascar 2019,Nephila inaurata,Palmarium reserve,Red-legged golden orb-web spider,World

Naming

In addition to the nominate (Nephila i. inaurata), a second subspecies is currently recognized: Nephila inaurata madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863), which occurs from South Africa to the Seychelles.
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider (Nephila madagascariensis) A fairly common spider across Madagascar, large to very large, producing spectacular webs, sometimes communal webs. Geotagged,Lake Tritriva,Madagascar,Madagascar Golden Orb-Weaver,Nephila inaurata,Red-legged golden orb-web spider

Food

This species feeds on flies, mosquitoes, moths, wasps and unfortunate beetles who happen to get tangled up.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyNephilidae
GenusNephila
SpeciesN. inaurata
Photographed in
Madagascar
South Africa