An odd looking spider this one. It has a single tubercle (hump) on the rear of its abdomen and builds a web with stabilimentum (lines accross the center of the web) which it often covers in dead insects. This spider can be quite variable in colour and pattern, however its shape is so distincive that it is hard to mistake.

When a fly hits this spider's web it will immediately rush straight towards the fly, most spiders will shake thier webs first.

Above: A large female at the center of her web.

Above: The colouring of this species can be quite variable, from deep orange to almost white. I have also seen green and brown.

Above: two pictures of a greeny-brown female showing different leg positions.

Left: A close-up of a female at the center of her web. I found this spider wandering along the floor of my study. I picked it up and put it in an empty fish tank in my bedroom, the next morning I found it had built a web.

Above: After eating food, this spider does not discard the dead insects but uses them to camouflage her web. This spider has been eating craneflies.

Above: Young Cyclosa spiders often don't construct stabilimentum.

Above: Female at centre of web in line with her stabilimentum.

Above: A female eating a small fly. This picture shows the spider with her legs extended.

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