Rufous Net-casting Spider

Deinopis subrufa

''Deinopis subrufa'' is a species of net-casting spiders. It occurs in eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is a nocturnal hunter, having excellent eyesight, and hunts using a silken net to capture its prey.
Net-casting Spider - female (Deinopis subrufa) A slender long-legged spider with a couple of lateral knobs on the dorsal side of the abdomen. Spotted at night with a blue rectangular net which was loosely slung from the front legs. The spider was prepared to get its meal at this stage. A wonderful experience for me - seeing the blue net was something special ! This species weaves a fine blue net of cribellate silk which is a dry adhesive silk. When an insect such as an ant comes into view, the net is quickly stretched and the spider casts it over the prey trapping it for food. The spider hunts at night, constructing its web late in the day. It might eat its web in the morning. Australia,Deinopis,Deinopis subrufa,Geotagged,Spring

Appearance

They can vary in color from fawn to pinkish brown or chocolate brown. Females are about 25mm in body length, males about 22mm.
Net casting spider (Deinopis subrufa) Male Also known as the ogre faced spider, it throws a web onto unsuspecting prey. Australia,Deinopis,Deinopis subrufa,Geotagged,Summer

Naming

The generic name is derived from ''deinos'' Greek for "fearful" and ''opis'' is Greek for "appearance", hence the common name of "Ogre-faced spiders". The species name ''subrufa'' is Latin for "slightly reddish".
Rufous net-casting spider, Deinopis subrufa, family Deinopidae Australia,Deinopis subrufa,Fall,Geotagged,Rufous Net-casting Spider

Habitat

This species is often found on a few strands of web in forest, woodland and heathland, or on flat surfaces, for example on the outside of houses.
Net casting spider male- Deinopis suprufa Body approx. 20 mm but the legs measured at least 100 mm . Australia,Deinopis subrufa,Eamw spiders,Geotagged,Summer

Food

They feed on a variety of insects - ants, beetles, crickets and other spiders.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyDeinopidae
GenusDeinopis
SpeciesD. subrufa
Photographed in
Australia