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Introduction:
There are at least 2 species of Magnificent spider. The Bolas
spider is one of them. The female is 12mm long while the male is 2mm. The
Magnificent spider is known also as the Angler spider.
This spider is part of a family (the Mastophoreae)
within the orb-weaving spider family (Araneidae) that no longer build an
orb web, but instead attract their prey of male moths by chemical
mimicry.
Habitat:
The Odgarius Magnificus is found in N.S.W., Qld, Tasmania,
South Australia and Victoria. At daytime, it retreats to a home made of
leaves bound together with silk. They live in the foliage of native
trees and shrubs such as eucalyptus, which are usually a few metres from
the ground. The Magnificent spider has adapted well to urban situations.
Appearance:
The female measures up to 14mm long (25mm when
pregnant) and the male is hardly able to be seen at a mere 1.5-2mm. The
species is basically white, except for its abdomen which has two small,
bright nodules and numerous tiny salmon coloured star-shaped patterns.
The body and limbs are covered with lots of fine hairs that are
particularly long on its forelegs.
 Prey: The female
Magnificent Spider has a special scent to attract male moths. Once the
Moth is within "fishing range" it throws the sticky thread. The bolas is
a sticky ball of glue and silk attached to the end of the silk thread.
Breeding: The
Magnificent spider produces about 6-7 long papery egg sacs. The egg sacs
will always be near the female. These take around 3 months to hatch.
When they hatch, the female never leaves her young alone. Even at
hunting time. Venom:
There has been no venom recorded from this spider.
Bibliography:
Spider watch: A guide to Australian spiders, by Bert Brunet.
The Puffin Book of Australian spiders, by Helen Hunt.
Google: Australian spiders
Information
and pictures were taken from children's projects and where credited to that
child does not claim to be original information. Where possible, permission
to reproduce has been sought. Any infringement of copyright is purely
unintentional.
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