White Uloborid spider - Philoponella variabilis ?

FAMILY ULOBORIDAE

This page contains pictures and information about White Uloborid spiders that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Body length 6mm

This is a smaller spider will creamy colour. They build small incomplete orb web, mostly horizontal, usually not as perfect as those built by spiders in other web building families.



They body shape and colours of this species is vary between individuals.



Like all other spiders in the Uloboridae family, they are not venom. They capture prey only rely on wrapping by silk.



Above pictures show a female with empty egg-sac and juveniles. All of the have the similar camouflaged colours.


Juveniles, body length 1mm

Photos were taken on Oct 2009 near Buhot Creek in Daisy Hills.



They build small incomplete orb web, mostly horizontal and a bit messy, not as perfect as those built by spiders in other web building families.



The spider and its egg-sac is very well camouflaged.

Reference:
1. A Guide to Australian Spiders - Densey Clyne, Melbourne, Nelson 1969, p33, plate 17.
2. Philoponella variabilis or related species - Save Our Waterways Now.