#araneidae

"Fereday's Spider-tail"

First named by German arachnologist Ludwig Koch in 1872. Richard William Fereday (1832–1903) was a New Zealand lawyer and insect collector in Canterbury who sent local specimens to European scientists.

Found in the forests of New Zealand and sometimes in gardens. The orbweb always has a V-shaped sector in the 12 o'clock position that is empty of spiral threads, and in which the females builds a chain of eggsacs, with the newest sac nearest the center of the web.

Quite a good disguise as a piece of leaf caught in a spiderweb. Females can be brown, brownish-grey, yellow or yellowish-green.

I know spiders are among the animals many people fear, and I understand that. A phobia is not something you can simply reason away.

Even so, I think it is a pity, because spiders are extraordinary animals. The closer you look, the more remarkable they become. In these photographs you can see the spider drawing silk from its spinnerets, a reminder of the astonishing engineering that spiders carry with them wherever they go.

Spiders are also among nature's most important predators, helping to keep insect populations in balance. I am convinced that the more we learn about them, the easier they become to appreciate. You do not have to love spiders, but perhaps knowledge can replace at least a little of the fear with curiosity and respect.

[VIDEO TAKEN: MAY 15TH, 2026 | Video ID: A video of a grey orb weaver in its web, contrasted by a background of near complete black night, wrapping up prey that was caught in its web /End IDs.]

[PHOTOS TAKEN: MAY 15TH, 2026 | Image IDs: two photos of a grey orb weaver in its web, contrasted by a background of near complete black night /End IDs.]

Small little observation from the time i was trying to work post covid infection (and couldn't go for any of my walks anymore, sadly) - a walnut orb-weaver at the bike parking by the train station.

(Nuctenea umbratica)