Spiders

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Tips for submitting spider sightings:

Photos from various angles are sometimes necessary for specific ID.

front (eye arrangement, pedipalp colour)
dorsal (above - general colouration, carapace and abdomen patterns)
ventral (underneath - especially useful for some of the ground-dwelling families and orb-weaving families)
side (further details for general shape, abdomen patterns and eye configuration)
back (further details for abdomen pattern).

Comments or photos on the following also provides valuable information if/when such features are applicable and observed...

surroundings and location (eg. ground, leaf litter, hand rail, tree trunk)
web structure and silk use (eg. orb, messy & tangled, throwing silk)
breeding (eg. display, egg sac)
behaviour (eg. hunting, interaction, familiarity with people such as the threatening display of a huntsman or the friendly and curious jumping spiders that jump onto the camera lens)
notable, unique, exciting or strange observations (eg. spur-like protrusions from legs, camouflage, mimicry)

Please note that the size of the spider is measured by body length.

body size is from the top of the cephalothorax (head) to the tip of the abdomen without including the legs.

(Updated: October, 2022. Please feel free to message a spider moderator if you have any queries or suggestions for improvement)

Resources:

Field guide: A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia authored by Robert Whyte & Greg Anderson

A good introduction: http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/allies/araneae.html

All about Australian spiders: http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=2409

Spiders

Huntsman spiders (Sparassidae)

Jumping or peacock spiders (Salticidae)

Wolf spiders (Lycosidae)

Other hunting spiders

Orb-weaving spiders (several families)

Trapdoor, Funnelweb or Mouse spiders (Mygalomorphae)

Other web-building spiders

Water spiders (Pisauridae)

Latest sightings

Maratus vespertilio at Murrumbateman, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by amiessmacro

Maratus purcellae at Murrumbateman, NSW - Yesterday by amiessmacro

Maratus chrysomelas at Cavan, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Maratus vespertilio (Bat-like peacock spider) at Cavan, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Unverified Wolf spider (Lycosidae) at Macgregor, ACT - Yesterday by LD12

Unverified Spider at Kambah, ACT - Yesterday by HelenCross

Tharpyna (genus) at Googong, NSW - Yesterday by patrickcox

Euophryinae sp. (Rockhopper) undescribed at Yarrow, NSW - Yesterday by patrickcox

Maratus calcitrans (Kicking peacock spider) at Bonner, ACT - Yesterday by patrickcox

Maratus vespertilio (Bat-like peacock spider) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by patrickcox

Maratus vespertilio at Denman Prospect, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by patrickcox

Intruda signata at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Servaea incana at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Opisthoncus sexmaculatus (Six-marked jumping spider) at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Nyssus albopunctatus (White-spotted swift spider) at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Araneae (order) at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Araneidae (family) at Lyneham, ACT - Yesterday by Hejor1

Missulena occatoria (Red-headed Mouse Spider) at Chiltern, VIC - 2 Oct 2025 by JenetC

Maratus calcitrans (Kicking peacock spider) at Denman Prospect, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Miranda

Australomisidia cruentata at Wallaroo, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by Anna123

Helpis minitabunda at Hackett, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Philoponella congregabilis (Social house spider) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneus sp. (genus) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneus albotriangulus at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Salsa fuliginata at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneus talipedatus at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Simaethula sp. (genus) (A jumping spider) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneinae (subfamily) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Austracantha minax at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Oxyopes elegans at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Plebs bradleyi at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneae (order) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Stephanopis altifrons at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Cryptachaea veruculata at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Australomimetus sp. (genus) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Socca pustulosa at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Theridiidae (family) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Australomisidia cruentata at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneus eburnus at Ainslie, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneinae (subfamily) at Hackett, ACT - 5 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Oxyopes (genus) at Goulburn, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by trevorpreston

Hadronyche sp. (genus) (A funnel web) at Greenwich Park, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by trevorpreston

Lycosidae (family) (Wolf spider) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by MichaelWenke

Oxyopes (genus) (Lynx spider) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by MichaelWenke

Argiope (genus) (A St. Andrew's cross spider) at Lorne, NSW - 5 Oct 2025 by Butlinz

Holconia immanis (Grey Huntsman) at Cedar Creek, QLD - 5 Oct 2025 by DAdeGroot

Unverified Orb-weaving spider (several families) at Canyonleigh, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by blacksheep

Unverified Other hunting spider at Canyonleigh, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by blacksheep

Socca pustulosa at Hackett, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Desidae (family) at Hackett, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tharpyna (genus) at Hackett, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Australomimetus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Pirate spider) at Hackett, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Salsa fuliginata at Watson, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Badumna (genus) at Watson, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tharpyna (genus) at Watson, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Segestriidae sp (family) (Tube Dwelling Spider) at Watson, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Latrodectus hasselti (Redback Spider) at Watson, ACT - 4 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Unverified Jumping or peacock spider (Salticidae) at Higgins, ACT - 11 Sep 2025 by AlisonMilton

Unverified Orb-weaving spider (several families) by Miranda

Maratus purcellae (Purcell's peacock spider) at Murrumbateman, NSW - 4 Oct 2025 by amiessmacro

Isopeda canberrana (Canberra Huntsman Spider) by ajrichar

Hedana sp. (genus) at Wodonga, VIC - 4 Oct 2025 by KylieWaldon

Saitis virgatus at Falls Creek, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Maratus anomalus (Blue Peacock spider) at Oallen, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Maratus plumosus (Plumed Peacock Spider) at Towrang, NSW - 1 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Maratus volans (Peacock spider) at Berry, NSW - 2 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Maratus velutinus (Velvety Peacock Spider) at Tianjara, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Harrisi

Nicodamidae (family) (Red and Black Spider) at Eden, NSW - 29 Sep 2025 by DavidDedenczuk

Bianor maculatus at Hall, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Anna123

Australomimetus sp. (genus) at Campbell, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Celaenia calotoides at Campbell, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Campbell, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Campbell, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneinae (subfamily) at Campbell, ACT - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Novakiella trituberculosa at Greenleigh, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Steatoda sp. (genus) at Greenleigh, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Arasia sp. at Greenleigh, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tharpyna (genus) at Greenleigh, NSW - 3 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Lampona sp. (genus) (White-tailed spider) at Lawson, ACT - 29 Sep 2025 by TimL

Araneus albotriangulus at Campbell, ACT - 2 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Badumna insignis at Downer, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by RobertD

Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Watson, ACT - 29 Sep 2025 by sbittinger

Unverified Jumping or peacock spider (Salticidae) at Paddys River, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by TimL

Maratus calcitrans (Kicking peacock spider) at Aranda, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by amiessmacro

Araneus talipedatus at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Araneus circulissparsus (species group) (Speckled Orb-weaver) at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Badumna (genus) at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Pholcus phalangioides at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Tetragnatha sp. (genus) (Long-jawed spider) at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Intruda signata at Parkes, ACT - 1 Oct 2025 by Hejor1

Runcinia acuminata (Pointy Crab Spider) at Bruce, ACT - 30 Sep 2025 by Hejor1

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Discussion

NateKingsford wrote:

Yesterday

Hey @JenetC, there doesn't seem to be an image attached to this sighting, could you double check this? :)

Missulena occatoria

TimL wrote:

5 Oct 2025

Thanks @HelenCross and @Aussiegall With macro photography it's always worth looking for the image within the image. Tim

Lampona sp. (genus)

trevorpreston wrote:

5 Oct 2025

Good to see you are still on the peacock spiders journey! You are welcome in Goulburn region anytime to document our jumping spiders, happy to provide a tour and a cuppa!

Maratus volans

HelenCross wrote:

5 Oct 2025

Fantastic observation Tim!

Lampona sp. (genus)

Aussiegall wrote:

4 Oct 2025

Amazing photos

Lampona sp. (genus)