Web of the Leaf-curling Spider

05th May 2016

LEAF-CURLING SPIDERS AT CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE, HIGHFIELDS.

The Leaf-curling Spiders (genus Phonognatha) are day-active orb weaving spiders that protect themselves from predators by sitting inside a silk seamed, curled leaf. At the moment, there are plenty of these marvelous looking web homes within the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve. They are easy to miss and many people won't be aware that they are in-fact a speciality home to one clever little spider.

Leaf Curling Spider at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 05/05/16

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF CURLING SPIDERS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM:

Leaf-curling Spiders hoist a leaf from the ground and, using silk threads, curl it to form a protective cylinder, silked shut at the top and open at the hub.. They then sit in this cylinder with only their legs showing, feeling for the vibrations of a captured insect. The curled leaf protects them from birds and parasitic wasps. Sometimes other objects, such as snail shells (which come ready-curled), are used. In P. graeffei this leaf is suspended just above the centre of the web, but may be placed higher in other species. Juvenile spiders start off by bending over a small green leaf, but eventually graduate to larger dead leaves.