Sometimes called Long Spinneret Bark Spiders or Tree Trunk Spiders, spiders in Hersiliidae have two very prominent spinnerets projecting from the rear of the abdomen. Tamopsis brisbanensis is common in Brisbane. Very well camouflaged against bark, they spin silk on tree trunks and wait for insects to land. When an insect disturbs the silk, the spider senses the movement and approaches to spin silk around the insect, wrapping it in a shroud. They are hunting spiders, as opposed to web weaving spiders, and have quite prominent eyes. The hairy spines on their legs and the mottled colours help camouflage them. They have a small spherical egg sac which can be found nearby in Summer and Autumn.
From above, on bark, oblique
Photo: Robert Whyte
From above, on bark oblique
Photo: Robert Whyte
From above, on a leaf
Photo: Robert Whyte
References
- Brisbane Spiders - Thanks to Peter Chew for help with identification
