Phonognatha is a genus comprising of spiders of the South Pacific orb-weaver family having approximately four species as per the 2019 April records. Spiders of this genus was initially a part of the Tetragnathidae or long-jawed orb weaver family before being shifted to its present position.
Size: They are 6mm to 12 mm (0.23 inches to 0.47 inches) in length, with females being larger than the males.
Color: Most of them have a brown or reddish-brown body with the patterns and stripes differing from one species to the other. For instance, the leaf spider (Phonognatha graeffei) has a cream pattern on its back.
Other Characteristic Features: ThePhonognatha graeffei has a body that is fat and oval-shaped while their legs are long and tapering. Similarly, other species of this genus have display different physical features.
The eggs are small and round. The Phonognatha graeffei lays its eggs within a curled leaf.
Though not much information is available regarding the spiderlings of this genus, they disperse to be on their own after maturation.
Their webs are messy, looking like an incomplete circle, having a curled leaf at the center.
They are harmless to humans, and their bites would cause not much than redness or swelling.
| Lifespan | About one year |
| Distribution | Throughout Australia |
| Habitat | Forests, woodlands as well as gardens in the urban and suburban areas |
| Predators | Parasitic wasps and birds |
| Diet | Insects |
Image Credits: arachne.org.au
Phonognatha is a genus comprising of spiders of the South Pacific orb-weaver family having approximately four species as per the 2019 April records. Spiders of this genus was initially a part of the Tetragnathidae or long-jawed orb weaver family before being shifted to its present position.
Size: They are 6mm to 12 mm (0.23 inches to 0.47 inches) in length, with females being larger than the males.
Color: Most of them have a brown or reddish-brown body with the patterns and stripes differing from one species to the other. For instance, the leaf spider (Phonognatha graeffei) has a cream pattern on its back.
Other Characteristic Features: ThePhonognatha graeffei has a body that is fat and oval-shaped while their legs are long and tapering. Similarly, other species of this genus have display different physical features.
The eggs are small and round. The Phonognatha graeffei lays its eggs within a curled leaf.
Though not much information is available regarding the spiderlings of this genus, they disperse to be on their own after maturation.
Their webs are messy, looking like an incomplete circle, having a curled leaf at the center.
They are harmless to humans, and their bites would cause not much than redness or swelling.
| Lifespan | About one year |
| Distribution | Throughout Australia |
| Habitat | Forests, woodlands as well as gardens in the urban and suburban areas |
| Predators | Parasitic wasps and birds |
| Diet | Insects |
Image Credits: arachne.org.au
