Nicodamidae
Web builder, using small sheet webs near the ground.
Nicodamidae is a family of araneomorph spiders native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. These small to medium-sized spiders are often referred to as "red and black spiders" due to their distinctive coloration. They construct small sheet webs near the ground in eucalypt forests.
Key Facts
- ›Found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- ›Characterized by a red cephalothorax and legs with a black abdomen.
- ›Construct small sheet webs near the ground.
- ›Inhabit eucalypt forests.
- ›Comprise seven genera and twenty-seven species.
- ›Sometimes called "red and black spiders".
Red and Black Spiders
Australia, Papua New Guinea
Uniformly Red Cephalothorax and Legs., Black Abdomen.
Build Small Sheet Webs Near the Ground.
About Nicodamidae
The Nicodamidae family encompasses a group of araneomorph spiders found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. These arachnids are recognized for their striking "red and black" coloration, a characteristic that often leads to their common name. They are typically small to medium-sized and are known for constructing their small sheet webs near the ground, particularly within eucalypt forests.
Taxonomy and Classification
The family Nicodamidae was formally established by Eugène Simon in 1897. A significant review of the family was conducted by Mark Harvey in 1995, which involved dividing the family and erecting new genera based on morphological cladistic analysis. While Pekka T. Lehtinen had previously suggested that a related group, Megadictynidae, should be a separate family, this was not initially accepted. However, molecular phylogenetic analysis in 2017 led to the re-establishment of Megadictynidae, which in turn reduced the scope of Nicodamidae to its current seven genera.
Genera and Species
As of early 2026, the Nicodamidae family comprises seven genera and a total of twenty-seven species. These species share common traits in their habitat and morphology, contributing to their classification within this family.
Habitat and Behavior
Nicodamidae spiders are primarily found near the ground level within eucalypt forests. Their hunting strategy involves building small sheet webs, which they utilize to capture their prey. The consistent placement of these webs near the ground is a notable aspect of their behavior.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Nicodamidae spiders found?
Nicodamidae spiders are exclusively found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. They typically inhabit the ground level of eucalypt forests within these regions.
What do Nicodamidae spiders look like?
These spiders are often recognized by their "red and black" coloration. Generally, their cephalothorax and legs are a uniform red, while their abdomen is black.
How do Nicodamidae spiders catch their prey?
Nicodamidae spiders build small sheet webs. These webs are typically situated near the ground, serving as their primary method for capturing prey.
What is the size of Nicodamidae spiders?
Nicodamidae spiders are described as small to medium-sized. Specific measurements are not detailed, but their general classification indicates they are not exceptionally large arachnids.
How many species are in the Nicodamidae family?
As of January 2026, the Nicodamidae family consists of twenty-seven species organized into seven distinct genera.
Related Spider species
Dipluridae
Dipluridae, commonly known as curtain-web spiders, are a family of mygalomorph spiders characterized by two pairs of booklungs and stabbing chelicerae. While historically encompassing genera now moved to other families, the current Dipluridae are primarily found in South America and the Caribbean, known for building messy funnel-webs or silk-lined burrows.
Deinopidae
Deinopidae, commonly known as net-casting spiders, are a family of circumtropical cribellate spiders recognized for their unique hunting strategy. These stick-like spiders catch prey by stretching a specialized web between their front legs and then propelling themselves forward, entangling their victims. Their exceptional night vision, facilitated by large posterior median eyes, allows them to hunt effectively in low-light conditions.
Hypochilidae
Hypochilidae, commonly known as lampshade spiders, represent one of the most primitive lineages within the araneomorph spiders. These long-legged arachnids are characterized by their distinctive "lampshade" style webs, typically constructed under overhangs and within caves. The family is distributed across North America and China, with most species found in mountainous regions.