Meet the Nephila Pilipes! This golden orb-weaver spider calls many places home, from Asian countries like China and India to faraway Australia. It’s one of the biggest orb-weaving spiders out there. Stick around to learn cool things about this big spider!
The eggs are contained in a sac which is kept in a pit covered with soil or leaves, instead of being placed in the web. A particular sac contains about 2000 eggs.
When they are juveniles, their legs (first, second, fourth pairs) are hairy which disappears on maturation.
These spiders produce golden silk for weaving their web, which is vertical with an irregular mesh, having a height and width of 6mm and 2mm respectively. They do not dismantle their webs often and it can last for a couple of years.
Yes, Giant Wood Spiders have venom. They use it mainly for catching their prey. However, their venom isn’t usually harmful to humans.
Giant Wood Spiders can bite if they feel cornered or threatened. The bite might sting a bit, but it’s typically not a big concern for most people.
Nephila Pilipes plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. They are proficient hunters, primarily preying on small insects, which helps in controlling the population of these pests in their habitat. The females exhibit maternal instincts, meticulously guarding their egg sacs until the spiderlings are ready to venture out.
Natural Predator: Birds, wasps, and damselflies stand as the common predators of the Nephila Pilipes. These predators pose a constant threat, particularly to the young spiderlings and juveniles, necessitating constant vigilance and agility from the spiders to ensure their survival.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The relationship between the giant wood spider and its predators is a complex dance of survival. The spider’s web not only serves as a trap for its prey but also acts as a line of defense against its predators. The Nephila Pilipes must constantly balance its role as a predator with its vulnerability as prey, showcasing the intricate intricacies of nature’s food web.
Relationship with Humans: Humans share a unique relationship with the Nephila Pilipes. While some may view them as pests, others appreciate their role in pest control and their contribution to biodiversity. In some regions, such as Vietnam’s Bình Thuận Province, they even find their way into local cuisine, where the Raglai people are known to roast and consume them.
| Other Names | Nephila Maculata (as called before) |
| Lifespan | Approximately 12 months |
| Distribution | Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, India, Australia, Papua New Guinea |
| Habitat | Primary as well as secondary forests, gardens, and wasteland |
| Common Predators | Birds, wasps, damselflies |
| Diet | Small flies, beetles, locusts, larger cicadas |
In summary, from its unique physical characteristics to its role in the ecosystem, every aspect of this spider’s existence speaks volumes about the complexity and beauty of the natural world
Meet the Nephila Pilipes! This golden orb-weaver spider calls many places home, from Asian countries like China and India to faraway Australia. It’s one of the biggest orb-weaving spiders out there. Stick around to learn cool things about this big spider!
The eggs are contained in a sac which is kept in a pit covered with soil or leaves, instead of being placed in the web. A particular sac contains about 2000 eggs.
When they are juveniles, their legs (first, second, fourth pairs) are hairy which disappears on maturation.
These spiders produce golden silk for weaving their web, which is vertical with an irregular mesh, having a height and width of 6mm and 2mm respectively. They do not dismantle their webs often and it can last for a couple of years.
Yes, Giant Wood Spiders have venom. They use it mainly for catching their prey. However, their venom isn’t usually harmful to humans.
Giant Wood Spiders can bite if they feel cornered or threatened. The bite might sting a bit, but it’s typically not a big concern for most people.
Nephila Pilipes plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. They are proficient hunters, primarily preying on small insects, which helps in controlling the population of these pests in their habitat. The females exhibit maternal instincts, meticulously guarding their egg sacs until the spiderlings are ready to venture out.
Natural Predator: Birds, wasps, and damselflies stand as the common predators of the Nephila Pilipes. These predators pose a constant threat, particularly to the young spiderlings and juveniles, necessitating constant vigilance and agility from the spiders to ensure their survival.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The relationship between the giant wood spider and its predators is a complex dance of survival. The spider’s web not only serves as a trap for its prey but also acts as a line of defense against its predators. The Nephila Pilipes must constantly balance its role as a predator with its vulnerability as prey, showcasing the intricate intricacies of nature’s food web.
Relationship with Humans: Humans share a unique relationship with the Nephila Pilipes. While some may view them as pests, others appreciate their role in pest control and their contribution to biodiversity. In some regions, such as Vietnam’s Bình Thuận Province, they even find their way into local cuisine, where the Raglai people are known to roast and consume them.
| Other Names | Nephila Maculata (as called before) |
| Lifespan | Approximately 12 months |
| Distribution | Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, India, Australia, Papua New Guinea |
| Habitat | Primary as well as secondary forests, gardens, and wasteland |
| Common Predators | Birds, wasps, damselflies |
| Diet | Small flies, beetles, locusts, larger cicadas |
In summary, from its unique physical characteristics to its role in the ecosystem, every aspect of this spider’s existence speaks volumes about the complexity and beauty of the natural world
Mumpi Ghosh on May 20, 2019.
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