Magnificent bolas spider

Fact Box Species: Ordgarius magnificus (RM) Previous species name: Dicrostichus magnificus Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 12 mm male: 2 mm Habitat: In tall trees or under open roofs; the spider sometimes is in a small retreat made of leaves and does not make an insect-trapping web Toxicity: Unknown; may cause mild illness or necrotising arachnidism but is not considered aggressive to humans

Swinging bolas With egg sac With egg sac

The two yellow cones and red marbling on the dorsal surface of 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.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Ordgarius furcatus.