Arkyidae, a family of araneomorph spiders were initially a part of the Araneidae subfamily, but evolved into a complete family of their own in 2017. There are two genera and over 40 species in the family as per April 2019 records.
Size: The species of this family are mostly small, with most females having a length of approximately 0.31 – 0.35 inches (8 – 9 mm), while males are smaller, 0.22 – 0.23 inches (5 – 6 mm) long.
Color: The colors differ from one species to the other, with yellow, brown, cream, orange, and red being the standard shades. Most of them have a jeweled pattern with bright spots on their abdomen.
Other Characteristic Features: Many spiders, particularly those of the Arkys genus have a triangular or heart-shaped abdomen.
The egg sacs of the spiders belonging to the Arkys genus are pinkish-orange, enclosing small, round eggs within.
They hatch during early summer and go on to dwell independently upon maturation. Some of the Arkys genus, juveniles go on to develop a triangular body attaining prominence with every molt.
They are not web-spinners but get at their prey by hiding secretly in their habitation and waiting for them.
They are less venomous, not causing a hazard to humans.
| Distribution | Different parts of Australia |
| Habitat | Woodlands, shrublands, grasses |
| Diet | Insects like flies |
| Lifespan | 1 – 2 years |
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