Paraembolides boycei

Fact Box Species: Paraembolides boycei (Main) Previous species name: Bymainiella boycei (RM) Family: Hexathelidae formerly Dipluridae Body length: female: 19 mm male: 14 mm Habitat: This spider builds a burrow in crevices in tree trunks; the dense white silk at the funnel entrance is distinctive and if present at all in an area of bush, this species is usually found in large numbers Toxicity: Uncertain; not as naturally aggressive as a funnel-web spider but should be handled with caution

View from above Another female Burrow entrance Another burrow

The pattern of paired pale patches on the upper surfaces of the abdomen is an important identifying characteristic. The silk that forms the burrow entrance is somewhat similar to that of a funnel-web spider but the latter species lays out a radiating set of trip line threads from a burrow entrance that is neater and more paper-like with less cross-linking of the radiating silk threads.

Known Range: This tree-dwelling spider was first discovered in Toowoomba but is also found occasionally in bushland across the Darling Downs and north towards Gladstone.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Euoplos species, Aname barrema, Namea salanitri, and Arbanitis species.