Zealaranea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zealaranea
Zealaranea sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Araneidae
Genus:	Zealaranea Court & Forster, 1988
Type species
Epeira crassa Walckenaer, 1841
Species
4, see text

Zealaranea is a special group of spiders known as orb-weavers. These spiders are famous for building beautiful, round, spiral webs that look like wheels. Scientists first described this group in 1988. The name Zealaranea combines "Zealand" (for New Zealand) with "aranea," which is Latin for spider.

What are Orb-Weaver Spiders?

Orb-weaver spiders are a very common type of spider found all over the world. They are best known for their amazing ability to spin flat, circular webs. These webs are like sticky traps that help them catch flying insects such as flies, moths, and mosquitoes.

How They Build Webs

Building an orb web is a complex process. First, the spider creates a strong frame of silk lines. Then, it adds radial lines, like the spokes of a bicycle wheel, that spread out from the center. Finally, the spider spins a spiral of sticky silk that connects the radial lines. This sticky spiral is what traps insects. The spider often sits in the middle of the web or hides nearby, waiting for vibrations to signal a catch.

Where Zealaranea Spiders Live

All the known species of Zealaranea spiders live only in New Zealand. This means they are endemic to New Zealand, which makes them very special. They are an important part of the natural environment there.

Species of Zealaranea

As of April 2019, there are four known species in the Zealaranea group. All of them are found in New Zealand:

• Zealaranea crassa (Walckenaer, 1841) (type) – This is the main species that helps scientists define the group.
• Zealaranea prina Court & Forster, 1988
• Zealaranea saxitalis (Urquhart, 1887)
• Zealaranea trinotata (Urquhart, 1890)

See also

In Spanish: Zealaranea para niños