The August Spider of the Month (SOTM) is this medium-wing kite spider (Gasteracantha versicolor; Araneidae), photographed by Jarrod Michael Todd in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal.
Regarding this find, Jarrod had this to say:
“It’s always fun finding some kite spiders; I often find them higher up than other orb weavers, and this one wasn’t an exception. I have found a few of these before, but all sub-adult, and those don’t have as prominent spines as this lady, so I had to grab her. She was just above a thick branch in her web, so I had to climb partially up the tree to get her, and boy, was I not disappointed. She was generally calm, especially when I put her onto the branch. She posed nicely for a few pics, and I put her right back where I found her to carry on with her day. I was surprised she was still out, as it was a pretty wet day, but the canopy over the pathway really helped keep the rain away. It’s always amazing to find these impressive spiders, now I just need to find the long-winged kite spider, Gasteracantha falcicornis!”
There are 86 recorded Gasteracantha species in the world, with only four occurring in South Africa. They are most common in Asian and Oceanian countries, in tropical and subtropical climates.
The name Gasteracantha means “thorny abdomen”, from the Greek gaster (stomach, belly, abdomen; think gastric acid, gastroscopy, etc.) and akantha (thorn). Many other “thorny” spiders have “acantha” in their name: Pycnacantha, Afracantha, Hypsacantha, etc.). The specific epithet versicolor means “having different colours”.
They are also called spiny-backed orb weavers, star spiders, jewel spiders, thorn spiders, etc. in other countries. They are usually red, black, white, and yellow, and they all have six “horns”, which differ in shape and length, like the short horns of our own G. sanguinolenta) to the very long horns of G. dalyi from Pakistan and India.
The bright colours of these spiders most likely serve an aposematic purpose (“warning” colours to deter predators). It was previously thought that the colours help to attract prey, but Gawryszewski and Motta (2010) found that ones they painted black had more success in catching prey.
Out of 250 people who voted, Jarrod’s photo received 108 (43%) of the votes. Believe it or not, but it’s only his second SOTM, the last one being the June 2022 SOTM. Congratulations, Jarrod, and thank you to everyone who voted!
