Hortophora biapicata
Knobbled Garden Orb-Weaver Spider Identification in Australia
Heavy-bodied Australian garden orb-weaver with a triangular abdomen, two humps, red leg bases and a large round web built at dusk.
Usually low riskThe knobbled garden orb-weaver is the Australian species Hortophora biapicata, a familiar Araneidae orb-weaver formerly treated as Eriophora biapicata. It is a useful comparison when a large, brown or reddish garden spider appears in a strong round web at night or rests nearby by day. The triangular abdomen and paired humps are helpful field clues, but H. biapicata overlaps with other Hortophora garden orb-weavers, especially H. transmarina, so a photograph and locality should not be treated as a guaranteed species determination without the diagnostic characters used in the revision literature.
Quick identification
- Heavy-bodied orb-weaver with a triangular abdomen
- Two humps toward the front of the abdomen are a useful view clue
- Brown or reddish body with legs red near the body and variable leaf-like patterning
- Builds a large, robust circular web at dusk in gardens, backyards, woodland and other open vegetation
What to check next
Check the web and body shape first: this spider should be in or near a large orb web around dusk or at night. Look for the triangular abdomen, paired humps and red leg bases, then record the locality. Compare with Hortophora transmarina and other garden orb-weavers because colour, web setting and a single dorsal photograph do not prove the species.
When to seek medical help
This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.
Where it is usually seen
Gardens, backyards, shrubs, woodland, wet and dry forest edges, grassland and other open places across mainland Australia where a strong evening orb web can be anchored.