Nephila clavipes
Quick Summary
Nephila clavipes, also known as the golden silk spider or banana spider, is a large arachnid found in warmer regions of the world, including the southeastern United States and Central and South America. These spiders are named for their large, golden orb webs, which can be over a meter in diameter and are suspended between trees.12
Females are significantly larger than males, with body lengths up to 50 mm and leg spans over 125 mm, while males are only about 6 mm. The females' silk is known for its great strength and elasticity. Males are dwarfs and often live in the female's web, sometimes becoming prey while attempting to mate. The genus Nephila is now typically classified in its own family, Nephilidae.134
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