Identify rufous net-casting spiders in Australia by huge forward-facing eyes, long legs, twig-like posture, handheld silk net and eastern range. Compare photos, danger level, first aid notes, web clues and what to check next before choosing a likely match.

Bitten or unwell? Call 000. Poisons advice: 13 11 26.

Photo credits

Stu's Images CC BY-SA 3.0 · tjeales CC BY-SA 4.0 · Samuel Frankel CC BY 4.0

Asianopis subrufa

Rufous Net-Casting Spider Identification Australia

Slender, long-legged eastern Australian net-casting spider with huge forward-facing eyes and a small handheld silk net used at night.

Usually low riskReviewed and updated 2026-04-29

Use the spider identifier Check dangerous spiders

Size20c to 50c body

Colours / marksBrown, Grey, Orange, Patterned

Web clueSmall handheld net

Usually foundBushland, open woodland, heathland, shrubs, garden plants, low vegetation, bark and house-wall edges across eastern Australia from southern Queensland through New South Wales, the ACT region, Victoria and Tasmania.

First aid / what to do now

Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
Wash the bite area with soap and water.
Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.

This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.

How to identify the Rufous net-casting spider

Slender long-legged body, often held stick-like in foliage
Two very large forward-facing eyes that can look like searchlights in close photos
Holds a small rectangular silk net in the front legs rather than sitting in a large orb web
Eastern Australia clue: Queensland, New South Wales, ACT region, Victoria and Tasmania, especially bushland, gardens, woodland and heath

Danger level

Usually low risk

What to check next

Check for the huge forward-facing eyes, long twig-like body and small handheld net. Compare with generic net-casting spiders, long-jawed orb-weavers and nursery-web spiders if the web or posture is unclear.

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 the Rufous net-casting spider is usually seen in Australia

Bushland, open woodland, heathland, shrubs, garden plants, low vegetation, bark and house-wall edges across eastern Australia from southern Queensland through New South Wales, the ACT region, Victoria and Tasmania.

How it differs from lookalikes

These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.

Garden wolf spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the huge forward-facing eyes, long twig-like body and small handheld net. Compare with generic net-casting spiders, long-jawed orb-weavers and nursery-web spiders if the web or posture is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check whether it was running on the ground with no capture web, especially in southern Australia. Compare with generic wolf spiders, huntsman spiders and trapdoor spiders if the body shape or habitat is unclear.
Clever fishing spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the huge forward-facing eyes, long twig-like body and small handheld net. Compare with generic net-casting spiders, long-jawed orb-weavers and nursery-web spiders if the web or posture is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the setting first: a long-legged spider on water, reeds or creekside plants is a stronger clue than colour alone. Compare with the broader fishing spider page, nursery web spiders, wolf spiders and huntsman spiders if it was away from water.
Nursery web spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the huge forward-facing eyes, long twig-like body and small handheld net. Compare with generic net-casting spiders, long-jawed orb-weavers and nursery-web spiders if the web or posture is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check whether the silk is a nursery shelter rather than a prey-catching web.

Common comparisons

People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.

Rufous net-casting spider vs Garden wolf spidersame region, similar size Rufous net-casting spider vs Clever fishing spidersame region, similar size Rufous net-casting spider vs Nursery web spidersame region, similar size Rufous net-casting spider vs Knobbled garden orb-weaversame region, similar size

Compare this spider by state

Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.

NSWNew South Wales QLDQueensland VICVictoria TASTasmania ACTAustralian Capital Territory

Next useful checks

Still trying to identify this spider?

Use these quick paths if the Rufous net-casting spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.

Use the spider identifier for a possible Rufous net-casting spider Identify Rufous net-casting spider by picture clues Rufous net-casting spider bite first aid and warning signs Compare Australian spider photos Identify Rufous net-casting spider in NSW Identify Rufous net-casting spider in QLD Identify Rufous net-casting spider in VIC

Reference notes

How this guide stays cautious

Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.

Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.

Common questions

Rufous net-casting spider FAQ

Is the Rufous net-casting spider dangerous?

Danger level: Usually low risk. 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.

How do I identify the Rufous net-casting spider?

Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Slender long-legged body, often held stick-like in foliage; Two very large forward-facing eyes that can look like searchlights in close photos; Holds a small rectangular silk net in the front legs rather than sitting in a large orb web; Eastern Australia clue: Queensland, New South Wales, ACT region, Victoria and Tasmania, especially bushland, gardens, woodland and heath.

What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Rufous net-casting spider?

Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.

Where is the Rufous net-casting spider usually found?

What spiders look similar to the Rufous net-casting spider?

Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.

Can I identify the Rufous net-casting spider by photo?

A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Rufous net-casting spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.