The Find-a-Spider Guide

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Philoponella congregabilis

Fact Box
Species:
Philoponella congregabilis
(a similar spider labelled Philoponella congregabilis is shown on the Morwell National Park website)
Family:
Uloboridae
Body length:
female: about 5 mm
male: about 4 mm
Habitat:
This species builds its web among green leaves and probably elsewhere as well
Toxicity:
Lacking venom glands, all uloborids must be considered harmless to humans
Philoponella congregabilis
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'4 hump' abdomen
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Underside of male
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A female
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Another female

Although the overall body shape of this species is similar to Poltys species, the latter lack the web-spinning cribellum and thin sensory hairs (trichobothria) on the legs which Philoponella and other uloborids have. Another distinctive feature of Philoponella congregabilis is the presence of two pairs of 'humps' on the upper surface of the abdomen rather than just one broad peak as seen on the more common Philoponella variabilis?.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Other uloborids such as Philoponella variabilis? as well as Poltys illepidus.


Email Ron Atkinson for more information.    Last updated 22 October 2017.