Hemicloea rogenhoferi

Fact Box Species: Hemicloea rogenhoferi (identification derived from a Queensland Museum publication and identical images on New Zealand's TERRAIN website Family: Trachycosmidae (formerly in the Gnaphosidae then the Trochanteriidae) Body length: female: 11 mm male: 9 mm Habitat: Lives under loose bark on trees or under rocks and logs Toxicity: Uncertain; may be aggressive when defending its egg sac so handle with caution

Under young male

The spider presented on this page certainly is a Hemicloea species and is most likely to be H. rogenhoferi, which is a species common along the Queensland and NSW coastlines and also in New Zealand. However, the World Spider Catalog shows that at least six other Hemicloea species are recorded for Queensland and NSW and they all are quite similar in appearance so it could possibly be one of them.

This species is typically brown to black in colour to match the bark it hides under. It has a flattened body with an elongate oval abdomen from which two pairs of wide-set spinnerets can be seen from above. The legs curve forward in a fashion somewhat similar to that seen among huntsman species.

Note that Hemicloea species were included in the Family Gnaphosidae until early in 2018, when they were moved to the Family Trochanteriidae, which in January 2022 became the Family Trachycosmidae.

Known Range: Hemicloea rogenoferi has been found in bush settings in both Queensland and NSW.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some other trochanteriids, especially Morebilus fumosus and some related Rebilus and Morebilus species.