Fauna
Arachnid

Giant Golden Orbweaver

Nephila pilipes

Also known as Giant Golden Orb-weaver

The Giant Golden Orbweaver is an orb-web spider whose adult female can be dramatically larger than the slender male. Females suspend long bodies and banded legs in expansive golden-tinted webs strung across forest gaps, gardens, and building edges.

Orb WebGolden SilkLarge Spider
Giant Golden Orbweaver reference1 / 7
Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMoths, Beetles, Flies
Predators
  • Birds
  • Wasps
  • Lizards
ThreatsPesticides, removal of web supports, habitat clearing, and deliberate killing
HabitatsTropical and subtropical forest, mangroves, gardens, parks, and sheltered structures
Life spanUsually around one to a few years; adult males are much shorter-lived than females
Classification
  1. FamilyAraneidae
  2. SpeciesNephila pilipes
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
Do not touch the spider or web; simply walk around its capture lines.
Responsible observation
  • Look: Trace strong anchor threads before walking through vegetation.
  • Observe: View the web from the side to catch its golden sheen.
  • Protect: Leave occupied webs intact whenever they do not block access.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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