Arkys

Have you heard of Arkys spiders? They’re special spiders from Australia! There are 32 kinds of them, and they belong to the Arkyidae family. Want to know more? Learn more fun facts about these unique spiders!

Scientific Classification

  • Genus: Arkys

Arkys

 Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • Triangular Spider (Arkys lancearius)
  • Horned Triangular Spider (Arkys cornutus)  
  • Small Bird Dropping Spider (Arkys curtulus)  
  • Arkys alatus  
  • Arkys dilatatus  
  • Arkys enigma  
  • Arkys hickmani  
  • Arkys grandis  
  • Arkys kaszabi  
  • Arkys montanus  
  • Arkys varians
  • Arkys vicarius  
  • Arkys speechleyi  
  • Arkys toxopeusi  
  • Arkys transversus  
  • Arkys soosi  
  • Arkys sibil  
  • Arkys semicirculatus  
  • Arkys roosdorpi  
  • Arkys occidentalis  
  • Arkys nimdol  
  • Arkys multituberculatus  
  • Arkys latissimus  
  • Arkys furcatus  
  • Arkys alticephala
  • Arkys cicatricosus
  • Arkys bulburinensis
  • Arkys brevipalpus
  • Arkys coronatus
  • Arkys gracilis
  • Arkys tuberculatus
  • Arkys walckenaeri

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: They are small in size, with females having a body length of 0.31 inches (8 mm) larger than the males that are at least 0.22 inches (5 mm) long.
  • Color: They mostly have an orange, yellow, or red body with markings on their abdomen. However, the color combinations and patterns do vary from one species to the other. 
  • Other Characteristic Features: Most spiders of this genus have a triangular or heart-shaped abdomen.

Eggs

The small round eggs are contained in pinkish-orange spherical egg sacs.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings of most of the species of this genus acquire a triangular body growing with every mold.

The Web

The spiders of the Arkys genus do not build webs but are ambush hunters mostly seen sitting on leaves or ferns or even hanging from a few silken threads.

Are Arkys Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Arkys spiders have venom. They use it to help them catch their food. But for humans, this venom usually isn’t harmful.

Can Arkys Spiders Bite?

Arkys spiders can bite if they feel bothered or scared. It might feel like a little pinch, but it’s not typically something to worry about for most people.

Quick Facts

Other Names Ambush spider
Distribution Australia and its surrounding islands
Habitat Most species of this genus dwell in woodlands, but they may thrive in gardens, living in grasses or shrubs
Diet Insects like flies
Lifespan 1 – 2 years

Did You Know

  • Charles Athanase Walckenaer, French scientist and civil servant, described this genus for the first time in 1837.

Image Source: Photos.smugmug.com

Have you heard of Arkys spiders? They’re special spiders from Australia! There are 32 kinds of them, and they belong to the Arkyidae family. Want to know more? Learn more fun facts about these unique spiders!

Arkys

 Spiders Belonging to this Genus

  • Triangular Spider (Arkys lancearius)
  • Horned Triangular Spider (Arkys cornutus)  
  • Small Bird Dropping Spider (Arkys curtulus)  
  • Arkys alatus  
  • Arkys dilatatus  
  • Arkys enigma  
  • Arkys hickmani  
  • Arkys grandis  
  • Arkys kaszabi  
  • Arkys montanus  
  • Arkys varians
  • Arkys vicarius  
  • Arkys speechleyi  
  • Arkys toxopeusi  
  • Arkys transversus  
  • Arkys soosi  
  • Arkys sibil  
  • Arkys semicirculatus  
  • Arkys roosdorpi  
  • Arkys occidentalis  
  • Arkys nimdol  
  • Arkys multituberculatus  
  • Arkys latissimus  
  • Arkys furcatus  
  • Arkys alticephala
  • Arkys cicatricosus
  • Arkys bulburinensis
  • Arkys brevipalpus
  • Arkys coronatus
  • Arkys gracilis
  • Arkys tuberculatus
  • Arkys walckenaeri

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: They are small in size, with females having a body length of 0.31 inches (8 mm) larger than the males that are at least 0.22 inches (5 mm) long.
  • Color: They mostly have an orange, yellow, or red body with markings on their abdomen. However, the color combinations and patterns do vary from one species to the other. 
  • Other Characteristic Features: Most spiders of this genus have a triangular or heart-shaped abdomen.

Eggs

The small round eggs are contained in pinkish-orange spherical egg sacs.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings of most of the species of this genus acquire a triangular body growing with every mold.

The Web

The spiders of the Arkys genus do not build webs but are ambush hunters mostly seen sitting on leaves or ferns or even hanging from a few silken threads.

Are Arkys Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Arkys spiders have venom. They use it to help them catch their food. But for humans, this venom usually isn’t harmful.

Can Arkys Spiders Bite?

Arkys spiders can bite if they feel bothered or scared. It might feel like a little pinch, but it’s not typically something to worry about for most people.

Quick Facts

Other Names Ambush spider
Distribution Australia and its surrounding islands
Habitat Most species of this genus dwell in woodlands, but they may thrive in gardens, living in grasses or shrubs
Diet Insects like flies
Lifespan 1 – 2 years

Did You Know

  • Charles Athanase Walckenaer, French scientist and civil servant, described this genus for the first time in 1837.

Image Source: Photos.smugmug.com