Black and White Kite spider

Isoxya cicatricosa

Box kite spiders is a common name for the Afrotropical Isoxya genus of orb-weaver spiders. Like the Spiny orb-weavers they have six prominent (but short) spines on their abdomen. They are small spiders, measuring 3 to 7 mm across. They have a sclerotised (or porcelain-like) abdomen which is typical of the Gastricanthinae.
Five species are known in South Africa
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Appearance

Female 5-7mm with the male being smaller. Carapace is dark, bearing white setae. Usually as wide as it is long. Eight eyes in two rows (4:4). Abdomen is brightly decorated with black and white patterns, dorsal part of abdomen is hardened to form a rigid scutum. Legs are relatively short, the same colour as the carapace.
Box kite spider Not always easy seeing the top of these spiders as generally against a wall or something, however, with a wind blowing I did manage to see the tell-tale black and white markings. Black and White Kite spiders,Geotagged,Isoxya cicatricosa,South Africa,Spiders,Spring,arachnids,box kite spiders,isoxya,kite spiders,south africa

Naming

C.L. Koch 1844

Distribution

Coastal regions of South Africa

Behavior

During the day they can be found in large orb webs, usually made high between trees.

Food

Insects

Uses

None

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_kite_spider
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Isoxya_cicatricosa/classification/
Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa; Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman; Lapa Publishers 2014;p56
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyAraneidae
GenusIsoxya
SpeciesIsoxya cicatricosa
Photographed in
South Africa