Nephilengys
| Nephilengys | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Nephilidae |
| Genus: |
Nephilengys L. Koch, 1872 |
| Type species | |
|
Epeira malabarensis Walckenaer, 1841 |
|
| Species | |
|
See text. |
|
| Diversity | |
| 2 species | |
 |
|
See text.
Nephilengys is a genus of tropical spiders of the family Nephilidae (formerly placed in the Araneidae and Tetragnathidae), consisting of two currently described species. They are called hermit spiders in South Africa .
Females are from 10 mm to 28 mm long, with males typically only reaching about 5mm. The prosoma has a wide and high head region. Unlike other nephilids, the carapace features strong erect spines. The edges of the carapace are lined with a row of long white hairs. Males are 3–6 mm long .
Nephilengys is the most synanthropic (found in and around human dwellings) of the nephilid genera. They build their webs against substrates such as tree trunks or walls. These can have a diameter of up to one meter. Nephilengys species incorporate a tubular retreat into their webs into which they will escape when disturbed. The retreat is always built against a hard surface; the web is built against a substrate, like those of Herennia and Clitaetra. While the orbs of young spiders are roughly symmetric, adults place the web hub very close to the top frame. While most orb web spiders rebuild a damaged web completely, nephilid spiders, including Nephilengys, repair damaged parts. Unlike Nephila, Nephilengys does not produce yellow silk or a barrier web .
Nephilengys are nocturnal spiders, spending most of the day in their retreat and nights at the hub.
Similar to the sister genus Nephila, the females are much larger than males, for example in N. malabariensis 20 mm versus 4 mm. Adult males do not build their own webs, but live with females, with sometimes several males found in the web of an adult or immature female. They accordingly lack silk glands producing sticky silk. Males often mate with a freshly moulted female, which cannot resist due to the softness of its cuticula. They often sever their mating organs, which are then found stuck in the female genital opening. Severed males may live on in their mate's web .
N. malabarensis is being preyed upon by the spider-eating jumping spider Portia. At least some species shake their bodies vigorously when touched. As many as 24 kleptoparasitic Argyrodes spiders have been found in the web of a single N. borbonica .
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