The October Spider of the Month (SOTM) is this green hairy field spider (Neoscona rufipalpis) in the orb-web spider family (Araneidae), taken by Pierre Strydom in Cape Town.
Pierre found the spider in her retreat in a rolled-up leaf. As mentioned in the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) photo guide, “the orb-webs have widely-spaced spirals of very sticky, bright yellow silk which is monitored by the spider from within a tightly woven retreat of vegetation (usually leaves), held together with strong pale-yellow, non-sticky silk”. This behaviour is also common in the green pea spider (Araneus apricus), which is why Pierre initially thought it’s one of them. Even the males of the two species look very similar. While both spiders are green, A. apricus has a rounder and “smoother” abdomen, with an orange or yellow anterior edge. N. rufipalpis also has a narrower carapace, and the lateral eyes are also closer to the median eyes. A. apricus is also always green, while N. rufipalpis can range from almost white, to brown, to green.
While most Neoscona spp. spin an orb web at night and eat it in the morning, N. rufipalpis appears to be one of the species where some individuals don’t take down their web, even in the winter months.
On informing Pierre that his photo is the new SOTM, he said:
“I’m thrilled to share that my photo of the Neoscona rufipalpis spider, taken near the entrance of Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, has won. Macro photography has truly unveiled a captivating world. Initially misidentified as Araneus apricus, I’ve learned to correctly recognize this fascinating Neoscona rufipalpis through the group admin. I’m eager to capture and share more of nature’s tiny wonders with you all.”
The species was initially described by Lucas (1858) as Epeira rufipalpis from Gabon. There is one subspecies (N. r. buettnerana) found in Togo and Cameroon. N. rufipalpis is quite widespread throughout the Afrotropical Region, and can be found in Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, St Helena, Tanzania, Togo, Yemen, and South Africa. In South Africa, it has been recorded in all our provinces, except the Northern Cape and Free State.
The genus name Neoscona comes from the Greek néo (meaning “spin”) and skhoῖnos (meaning “reed”). Not sure why this name was given; maybe because some were found spinning webs among reeds. The specific epithet rufipalpis probably describes the palps. Rufi stems from rufus, which can have a few meanings, but in this context it most likely means “red-haired”, like many red-haired dogs are named Rufus. I have never noticed any conspicuous red hairs/setae on either the male or female spiders’ palps, but it’s possible that it’s not visible with the naked eye, or that perhaps the palps faded to red in specimens preserved in alcohol.
From 179 people who voted, Pierre’s photo received 106 votes, which is almost 60% of the votes. Unfortunately, I lost my previous SOTM document when my hard drive crashed, so I can’t check if I’m right, but I’m pretty sure it’s the first time a Neoscona has won SOTM. I can, however, say with certainty that this is Pierre’s first SOTM. Congratulations, Pierre, and keep the photos coming!