Four-spined jewel spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Four-spined jewel spider |
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The Gasteracantha quadrispinosa, also known as the four-spined jewel spider, is a very colorful type of spider. It belongs to a group of spiny orb-weaver spiders called Gasteracantha. This spider lives in the wet forests of Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea. It builds large, round webs that stand upright. These webs can be about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide! The spider usually waits in the middle of its web, ready to catch insects for food.
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What Does This Spider Look Like?
Female four-spined jewel spiders have a very unique shape and bright colors. Their bodies are flat and shaped like an oval. They curve slightly forward.
Spider Body Details
The main part of their body, called the abdomen, is about 5 to 6 millimeters wide. This measurement does not include the spines. The corners of their abdomen have short, sharp spines. The two spines at the back are a little longer than the two at the front.
Why "Four-Spined"?
Most spiders in the Gasteracantha group have three pairs of spines. But the four-spined jewel spider is special because it only has two pairs. This means it has four spines in total, which is why it's called "quadrispinosa" (quadri means four).
Colors and Markings
The top surface of the spider's abdomen is hard and shiny. It can be bright red or yellow. You will also see a black spot and some dark marks called sigilla on its back. These markings make the spider even more striking!
