Dinopis

Dinopis
Dinopis
Dinopis subrufa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Dinopidae
Genus: Dinopis
Macleay, 1839

Dinopis is the genus name for the more commonly named Gladiator Spider, Ogre faced spider, or Net casting spider. It is found in eastern Australian forests. It has a relatively long and thin abdomen for a spider, with a small cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax of a spider.) It possesses an unorthodox and remarkable hunting technique. First the spider creates a frame between branches of a bush using a dry silk. Holding onto this, a small square net is constructed by it, using a sticky and very elastic silk. This is done in a place where the capture of insects is unlikely. Dinopis then removes it and holds it between the two pairs of forelegs, then hanging down from a silk thread, it hovers a few inches above the ground. When an insect walks by, Dinopis springs, ensnaring the unfortunate insect in the net.

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