Parawixia dehaani, known in Australia as the abandoned-web orb-weaver, is a species of orb weaver spider from the family Araneidae which is widely distributed in Australasia and eastern Asia.[1] It is common in gardens, leading to it sometimes being known by the name common garden spider.[3] The specific name is sometimes spelt dehaanii.[1]
Description
The female Parawixia dehaani is a large, dark brown spider with variable patterns on the abdomen. The most noticeable field characteristic is the triangular abdomen having corners with sharp spikes.[4]
Phylogeny
Close relatives
It has a close relative Parawixia bistriata, which is mainly found in South America.
Parawixia dehaani is found in gardens, disturbed areas and nearby bushland.[5]
Biology
Parawaixia dehaani is nocturnal and feeds mainly on moths. During the day the spider shelters under a leaf in the vegetation.[3] It builds a vertical orb web with an open hub, which often looks damaged, with sections missing, hence the Australian common name, abandoned-web orb-weaver.[5] When disturbed the spiders falls to the ground and plays dead with its legs retracted.[5] Bats have been recorded as being captured by this spider.[7]
^ abcDoleschall, C. L. (1859). "Tweede Bijdrage tot de kennis der Arachniden van den Indischen Archipel". Acta Societatis Scientiarum Indo-Neêrlandicae. 5: 1–60.
