Gasteracantha hasseltii : Hasselt's Spiny Orb Weaver in Lawachhora

This interesting yellow and black spider with three pairs of spines on its back is called Gasteracantha hasseltii or Hasselt's Spiny Orb Weaver. Found several specimens of this species in my last expedition to Lawachhora forest. It is typical of this spider to have elongated middle pair of spines unlike Gasteracantha arcuata in whose case it is the last pair that is elongated.

Gasteracantha Arcuata : Bizarre looking spider in Lawachhora

Found this bizarre looking spider in Lawachhora forest. It was a late autumn morning on 29th November, 2010. A little research on the internet after coming back home reveals that this spider belongs to the genus Gasteracantha. The common name is Spiny-backed orb-weavers or Spiny orb-weavers because of their spiny abdomen and ability to weave vertical orb webs.



The observed specimen belongs to the species Gasteracantha arcuata. It has two long curved spines on its back and black/dark gray color all over. According to the sources on the internet[*], this species is found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India and China. Sightings of this species in Bangladesh is probably not well documented. From my last expedition to Lawachhora forest however, it is evident that this species is abundant in that area.

I'm planning an expedition for collecting more information on this species and documenting its behavior. Hopefully I'll meet these critters in Lawachhora again at the end of December, 2010.

Here are some more photos of this species found on the internet.

References

http://www.malaeng.com/blog/?p=10612
http://godofinsects.com/museum/display.php?sid=121