Kite spider:
Family Araneidae.
Average body length 5-15 mm.
Identification: Bright coloured red, orange, yellow, white or black patterns. Usually wider than long. Have some prickly horns. Short legs. Male is pale and much smaller than the female.
Habitat: Woods, trees, shrubs, plants. Five species have been recorded in South Africa.
Customs: Day living. Female sits in the middle of the web waiting for prey. Prey is spun in a web after which it is killed.
Venom: Harmless to humans.
Web: Orb webs usually in vegetation and high in trees.
Food: Insects.
Reproduction: No information.
References:
- Internet web sites.
- SASOL field guide to Spiders and Scorpions of South Africa.
- Field Guide to Spiders of South Africa by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.
The cache:
In a tree about head height.
Small 250 ml container. Space for one or two small swag.
FTF:.......Congratulations Spytrix!