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Argyrodes antipodianus O.P.-Cambridge. 1880 Dewdrop Spider

These small spiders (females to 3mm, males to 2.5mm) live on the edges of webs of large orb-weavers, notably Nephila species, but also others. The abdomen reflects silvery light like a dewdrop. They steal food from the host spider, a trait called kleptoparasitism. The female makes globular-shaped papery brown egg-sac diameter 4 mm similar to the whip spider with around 30 white eggs. They attach the sac at the outside of the web or just outside the web on twigs of leaves. The species was named in 1880 by O.P.-Cambridge.

Female from above


Argyrodes antipodianus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female side on

Argyrodes antipodianus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male


Argyrodes antipodianus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Melanic (dark) form or stage


This is a female (about 3.5 mm body length) found on the edge of the web of an orb-weaver. Mostly black with silvery patches.

Argyrodes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female

Argyrodes antipodianus
Photo: Robert Whyte

 

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