About Arachnura higginsi (L.Koch, 1872)
Description and habits: Females of Arachnura higginsi have an approximate body length of 16 mm, while males are much smaller at around 2 mm. Body colour varies between individuals, ranging from cream to brown to black. Some individuals have a brightly coloured yellow to red patch on the top of the abdomen. Juveniles are often more brightly coloured. Only females possess a tail, which grows longer with each moult. This prominent tail resembles a scorpion's tail, but it has no sting, and the spider is not considered dangerous to humans. This spider typically builds its web close to the ground; the web can be oriented vertically, at an angle, or sometimes horizontally. The spider usually preys on small flying insects. Females deposit 50 to 60 eggs per egg sac, and may produce up to eight egg sacs placed across missing sectors of their web. The egg sacs are oval, measuring 5 mm by 4 mm. They are constructed from tough, brown silk and have a woolly appearance. The eggs themselves are creamy in colour, 0.8 mm in diameter, and are not sticky.
