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Sidymella hirsuta (Koch, 1873) Hairy Crab Spider

A medium-sized, slender crab spider covered in strongly bristly hairs, reported from eastern coastal Australia and Tasmania probably more widespread in most habitats with fairly dense vegetation, including suburban parks and gardens. Most of the longer bristles are along the extremely long front legs I & II and projecting rearwards from the abdomen. The eyes are together on a tubercle, where the head narrows and projects well forward from the thorax. The male and the female are similar in shape and appearance, the female a little larger. Colour is variable ranging from cream coloured to dark brown. The lighter forms, camouflaged well on hairy vegetation, are more common than dark ones. The species name means hairy. ♀ 7mm ♂ 6mm

Female adult, dark form, from above, Rinn Avenue Bunya


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female adult, dark form, from above, Rinn Avenue Bunya in alcohol


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, pale form, from above


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Sub adult on leaf from above, showing clearly when not camouflaged


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Prey package or exuvium?


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, face closeup


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, from above, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella sp
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male, from above, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male palp front, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male palp side, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male palp back, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female from above, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female epigyne, Bunyobi, Obi Obi Creek


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Mite on Sidymella hirsuta - the spider


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Mite on Sidymella hirsuta close up


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Mite on Sidymella hirsuta extreme close up


Owen Seeman at QM has let us know this is an Oribatid mite - they are quite amazing. Can you imagine: "Oribatida are one of the most numerically dominant arthropod groups in the organic parts of most soils, where their densities can reach several hundred thousand individuals per square meter. Undisturbed soils can easily yield examples of 50-100 species."

Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male from above in alcohol 17-Oct-11 Rinn Ave. Bunya


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male face closeup in alcohol 17-Oct-11 Rinn Ave. Bunya


Sidymella hirsuta
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female, drawing by Koch


Sidymella hirsuta
Illustration: L. Koch

Male, drawing by Koch


Sidymella hirsuta
Illustration: L. Koch

 

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