Gasteracantha versicolor

Gasteracantha versicolor, known as the long-winged kite spider,^{[citation needed]} is a species of diurnal spiny orb-weaver of the family Araneidae. It is found in the tropics and sub-tropics, where it occurs in forests. It has an extensive range, from central, east and southern Africa to Madagascar.

Gasteracantha versicolor
Female of the nominate race in Burman Bush
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Araneidae
Genus:	Gasteracantha
Species:	G. versicolor
Binomial name
Gasteracantha versicolor (Walckenaer, 1841)[1]

The female is 8 to 10 mm long,^[2] with a large, glossy and brightly coloured abdomen, like others of their genus.^[3] The hardened (sclerotised) abdomen projects over the cephalothorax and has six peripheral spines,^[3] with the lateral pair medium to long and slightly recurved in this species. Males are much smaller, less colourful and lack the thorny abdominal projections.^[2]

The web has densely spaced radii and an open hub, and may be placed from near ground level to several meters up. Their venom is not known to be dangerous to man.^[2]

A female in Krantzkloof ravine, sitting head down in the hub of the web

Spotted underside of abdomen

Races

• G. v. avaratrae Emerit, 1974 – Madagascar
• G. v. formosa Vinson, 1863 – Madagascar
• G. v. versicolor (Walckenaer, 1841)^[4] – mainland Africa