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Caerostris

Caersotris or bark spiders belong to the orb-weaver spiders family, indigenous to the regions of Madagascar and south eastern Africa. According to April 2019 records the genus has nineteen documented species.

Caerostris Spider

Scientific Classification

Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Caerostris almae
  • Caerostris bojani
  • Caerostris corticosa
  • Caerostris cowani
  • Darwin’s Bark (Caerostris darwini)
  • Caerostris ecclesiigera
  • Caerostris extrusa
  • Caerostris hirsuta
  • Caerostris indica
  • Caerostris linnaeus
  • Caerostris mayottensis
  • Caerostris wallacei
  • Caerostris mitralis
  • Caerostris pero
  • Caerostris sexcuspidata
  • Caerostris sumatrana
  • Caerostris tinamaz
  • Caerostris vicina

Physical Description & Identification

Adults

Size:  The females are about 3 cm (1.18 inches) long, while the males are smaller with a body length of 1cm (0.39 inches).

Color: Most species of this genus are black with white abdominal hairs. Males mostlyhave red or brown body.

Other Characteristics: The upper parts of their cephalothorax have a bumped appearance, mostly seen in females. Their legs also have a hairless appearance.

Eggs

The eggs are round and lay protected in an egg sac, hatching in 2 to 3 weeks.

Spiderlings

They remain with their mother for a while after being hatched and then disperse to dwell independently.

The Web

Their webs are strong and messy, resembling a spiral shape like most orbweaver species.

Are Species of the Caerostris Genus Poisonous and Do They Bite

The species of the Caerostris genus are not venomous, considered harmless to humans.

Quick Facts

Lifespan Approximately 1 year
Distribution Madagascar and parts of south eastern Africa
Habitat Close to water bodies, swampy areas
Diet Small aquatic insects

Did You Know

  • Swedish arachnologist was the first to describe this genus in the year 1868.

Image Credits: inaturalist.org

Caersotris or bark spiders belong to the orb-weaver spiders family, indigenous to the regions of Madagascar and south eastern Africa. According to April 2019 records the genus has nineteen documented species.

Caerostris Spider

Spiders Belonging To This Genus

  • Caerostris almae
  • Caerostris bojani
  • Caerostris corticosa
  • Caerostris cowani
  • Darwin’s Bark (Caerostris darwini)
  • Caerostris ecclesiigera
  • Caerostris extrusa
  • Caerostris hirsuta
  • Caerostris indica
  • Caerostris linnaeus
  • Caerostris mayottensis
  • Caerostris wallacei
  • Caerostris mitralis
  • Caerostris pero
  • Caerostris sexcuspidata
  • Caerostris sumatrana
  • Caerostris tinamaz
  • Caerostris vicina

Physical Description & Identification

Adults

Size:  The females are about 3 cm (1.18 inches) long, while the males are smaller with a body length of 1cm (0.39 inches).

Color: Most species of this genus are black with white abdominal hairs. Males mostlyhave red or brown body.

Other Characteristics: The upper parts of their cephalothorax have a bumped appearance, mostly seen in females. Their legs also have a hairless appearance.

Eggs

The eggs are round and lay protected in an egg sac, hatching in 2 to 3 weeks.

Spiderlings

They remain with their mother for a while after being hatched and then disperse to dwell independently.

The Web

Their webs are strong and messy, resembling a spiral shape like most orbweaver species.

Are Species of the Caerostris Genus Poisonous and Do They Bite

The species of the Caerostris genus are not venomous, considered harmless to humans.

Quick Facts

Lifespan Approximately 1 year
Distribution Madagascar and parts of south eastern Africa
Habitat Close to water bodies, swampy areas
Diet Small aquatic insects

Did You Know

  • Swedish arachnologist was the first to describe this genus in the year 1868.

Image Credits: inaturalist.org

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