Batik Golden Web Spider (Nephila antipodiana)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Nephila ("fond of spinning") antipodiana ("Antipodean")

Adult Batik Golden Web Spiders (Nephila antipodiana) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A huge distinctive spider that was very numerous at Sungei Buloh.  It is very high sexual dimorphism as can be seen in this picture;  the tiny red male can be seen next to the much larger female.  It'll need to be careful, if it decides it wants to, the female may cannibalise the male.  Mildly poisonous to humans, it's bite can result in swelling.

Related Species:
Order: Araneae
Family: Nephilidae
Genus: Nephila
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A locally common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Many at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Jorō Spider (Nephila clavata)

OTHER NAMES: Golden Orb-web Spider

Latin Etymology: Nephila ("fond of spinning") clavata ("club shaped")

Adult Jorō Spider (Nephila clavata) at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Jorō Spider is a massive spider-species - larger than any species in the UK, that is common throughout much of Japan (though absent from Hokkaido) and other parts of East Asia.  Their webs can be over a meter across.  It is also strongly venomous - not to the point of being fatal to humans under normal circumstances, but certainly not pleasant either.  The bright colours were a good enough warning for me to only observe them from a distance though!  Despite that, it is actually quite a popular species in Japan, and has even entered folklore.

Related Species:
Order: Araneae
Family: Nephilidae
Genus: Nephila
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ジョロウグモ  /  Jorō-gumo ("Geisha Spider")

Widespread and Fairly Common Resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Several seen at Kamakura and Tokyo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .