#triangle spider

Triangle Spider (Hyptiotes paradoxus)

Almost ended up with an Arrowhead Orb Weaver (aka triangle spider) in my hair this morning. She climbed right back up in the corner by the door though.

Tricia Ross’ observation, here in Perth.

Arkys are ambush predators, which makes the bright colour and silver dimples of this species a bit odd, but the long spiny legs are still effective against anything that wanders within reach. Other Arkys may be similarly colourful, or more cryptically disguised. They appear to have evolved from more ordinary orb-weaving spiders that have abandoned web-building and gone back to a more hands-on hunting style.

Found across Australia’s hinterland and east coast, mostly in the southern states.