Cryptachaea veruculata explained

Cryptachaea veruculata is a spider native to Australia and New Zealand. It has been introduced into England and Belgium.^{[1] [2]} The species has potential to control spider mites and leafroller caterpillars in New Zealand.^[2]

Description

Females reach a body size of about 4 mm, males only about 1.5 mm. They sometimes build small webs in flowers and green vegetation, but will also build webs in corners of the outer walls of buildings.

Taxonomy

This species was moved from genus Achaearanea in 2008.^[1]

Name

Common names include Diamond Comb-footed Spider. In New Zealand, it is also known as just "cobweb spider".

References

• Yeates, G.W. & Williams, P.A. (2006): Export of Plant and Animal Species from an Insular Biota. in: Biological Invasions in New Zealand. —
• Platnick, Norman I. (2009): The world spider catalog, version 9.5. American Museum of Natural History.

Further reading

• Yoshida, Hajime (2008): A revision of the genus Achaearanea (Araneae: Theridiidae). Acta Arachnologica 57(1): 37-40. PDF

External links

• Find-a-spider Guide: Photographs of C. veruculata
• Brisbane Insects: Pictures of C. veruculata

Notes and References

1. Platnick 2009
2. Yeates & Williams 2006