Whitebanded Orbweb Spider

Zealaranea crassa, a New Zealand native. Members of this species have a wide variation in markings.

The sunshine betrayed this small spider as it hid in a dead leaf at the edge of its web. The outstretched legs are in contact with a guide line so that it will be alerted if the web is disturbed. Its web was very fine and it measured about 13 cm across the "wheel" part.

Under normal conditions the spider would be well camouflaged. Note how the markings on the abdomen are similar to the veining of the leaf. White is a common feature in bird droppings, which get spattered across leaves. Its hairy mane helps to hide the head in the shadows. I found it only because I saw the little web and searched for the builder.

Stop Press! This evening I was treated to a glorious sight of the moon flanked by Jupiter and Venus setting behind the mountains. Thanks to Nesssaintee's World for identifying Jupiter for me. He has blipped the same scene from an entirely different angle on the other side of the world.