Fauna
Arachnid

Tiger Spider

Trichonephila plumipes

Also known as Pacific Golden Orb Weaver

Pacific golden orb weavers construct massive, semi-permanent webs made of exceptionally strong, yellowish silk that shimmers in direct sunlight. Females dominate the central hub with their boldly patterned striped bodies and brush-like leg tufts, while dwarf males linger along the outer barrier threads waiting for a safe mating opportunity. These spiders rarely rebuild their entire web at once, preferring to repair damaged sections at dawn after a busy night of snaring large flying insects.

Silk WeaverSexual DimorphismPredator
Tiger Spider reference1 / 7
(c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Mesaglio · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCicadas, Moths, Blowflies
Predators
  • Spider-hunting wasps
  • Pied currawong
  • Praying mantis
ThreatsBroadscale insecticide spraying, habitat fragmentation, and heavy urban development
HabitatsCoastal scrub, open eucalyptus woodlands, rainforest edges, and suburban gardens
Life span9–12 months
Classification
  1. FamilyAraneidae
  2. SpeciesTrichonephila plumipes
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Reluctant to bite and harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Watch the web at dawn to see the female repair broken strands or consume cached prey.
  • Navigation: Look overhead along bush tracks where their large golden webs frequently stretch between trees.
  • Respect: Avoid touching or disturbing the silk scaffolding, as web construction requires heavy energy investment.
Related species
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