The Australian garden orb weaver spider (Hortophora transmarina) is a very common species of spider with many variants in size, shape, and colour across the coastal and northern regions of Australia. They have very large abdomens when well-fed and exhibit a tremendous colour-range from off-white through tan, brown to almost black. They have a roughly leaf-shaped pattern on the top of their abdomen with a complex outline that is darker than the surrounding area. There may also be several whitish spots or one or more stripes. The spiders' cephalothoraxes (heads) and proximal (closer to the body) leg segments are usually darker, mostly reddish or reddish brown.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Australian Garden Orb Weaver being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Hortophora biapicata
- Hortophora tatianeae
- Neoscona triangula
- Eriophora ravilla
- Araneus ventricosus
- Eriophora fuliginea
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Araneidae
- Genus
- Hortophora
- Species
- Hortophora transmarina
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