Neoscona theisi

Neoscona theisi is a species of spider in the family Araneidae.^[1][2] Spiders in the genus Neoscona have a mostly pantropical distribution.^[3]

• 
  Male dorsal
• 
  Male ventral
• 
  Female dorsal

Neoscona theisi
Female in Cairns, Australia
Female ventral
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Araneidae
Genus:	Neoscona
Species:	N. theisi
Binomial name
Neoscona theisi Walckenaer, 1841

Description

Illustration of Neoscona theisi, Walckenaer, 1841

Neoscona theisi females have a body length up to 11 mm (0.43 in). Males are slightly smaller, measuring up to 9 mm (0.35 in).^[3] They build an orb web and rest near the centre.^[4] Individuals vary in color from dark reddish-brown to pale-yellow with a distinct pattern on the upper abdomen, lighter along the centre-line and darker on the sides. The legs are light with dark patches at the joints. The sternum is a dark shield shape with a pale yellow longitudinal stripe mid-line. The sternum contrasts with the pale coxa of the nearest leg joints.

There is a characteristic longitudinal groove on the carapace which separates all species of Neoscona from species of Araneus.^[5][6]

Subspecies

• Neoscona theisi theisiella