Bolas spider

Fact Box Species: Ordgarius furcatus (RM, QM) Previous species name: Dicrostichus furcatus Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 12 mm male: 2 mm Habitat: This spider may establish its web under branches of trees or tall shrubs but also likes the undersides of tank stands and the roofs of open sheds Toxicity: Unknown; may cause mild illness or necrotising arachnidism but this is a timid species so bitings are almost unknown

Side view Preserved Its egg sacs More egg sacs

The lacy white surface markings on the abdomen of this spider are distinctive. Also very useful for identification purposes are the egg sacs. These are very large (about 5 cm long) and spindle-shaped, and hang in groups of about five from bases that resemble the root system of a tree.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Ordgarius magnificus and Eriophora transmarina.