Arachnid
Christmas Jewel Spider
Austracantha minaxAlso known as Jewel Spider, Christmas Spider, Six-Spined Spider
Jewel spiders weave intricate vertical orb webs, often clustering together in vast communal networks across Australian woodlands and gardens during the summer months. Females feature six bright, spine-like projections on their glossy yellow, white, and black abdomens, creating a striking armor against predators. Despite their formidable appearance, these social orb weavers are gentle creatures that capture tiny flying insects and pose no threat to humans.
Orb WeaverSpiny AbdomenEndemic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlies, Mosquitoes, Small moths
Predators
- Birds
- Parasitoid wasps
- Lizards
ThreatsBroad-scale pesticide application, severe wildfires
HabitatsSclerophyll forests, open woodlands, coastal scrub, suburban gardens
Life span1 year
Classification
- FamilyAraneidae
- SpeciesAustracantha minax
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observing Webs: Look for overlapping communal web networks stretched between low shrubs in sunny clearings.
- Photography: Focus on the six colorful abdominal spines during bright morning light for optimal detail.
- Trail Awareness: Watch for low-hanging webs across hiking trails in midsummer to avoid disturbing colonies.
Sympatric Neighbor no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
Family Relative (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.