Palystes castaneus is a species of huntsman spider found in parts of South Africa. It is common from Cape Town to Heidelberg, Western Cape, especially in forested areas. In scrub outside forested areas, it is replaced by Palystes superciliosus. It occurs mainly on plants, where it hunts insects. It has a body length of 17–22 mm. P. castaneus is the type species for the genus Palystes, and was first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1819.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Cape Rainspider 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
- Palystes superciliosus
- Palystes kreutzmanni
- Neosparassus magareyi
- Isopedella saundersi
- Phoneutria pertyi — venomous
- Neosparassus patellatus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Sparassidae
- Genus
- Palystes
- Species
- Palystes castaneus
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