Bug FAQChristmas Jewel Spider
Austracantha minax · Order: Araneae · Family: Araneidae
Also called: Australian Jewel Spider, Jewel Spider
Source: Wikipedia
Christmas Jewel Spiders are small orb-weavers, females up to about 12 mm and males about half that size, with a shiny black body marked by six spine-like projections and variable white, yellow or orange patterns. They build permanent overlapping orb webs, often in large groups, and feed on small flying insects caught in the silk.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The abdomen bears six distinct spine-like projections that make the spider easy to recognize. Its coloration is mainly glossy black with variable patches of white, yellow or orange.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Females grow to 7 to 12 mm in total length, while males are about half that size, around 5 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
They are harmless to people, though their permanent webs can be a nuisance for walkers.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
They have venom glands used for hunting, but they rarely bite when handled. If bitten, the pain is mild and may cause temporary redness, swelling or itching.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They are facultatively gregarious and often found in large clusters of overlapping orb webs.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They capture and eat small flying insects that become tangled in their webs. Like most spiders, they use venom to subdue their prey.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
A female can mate with several males in one reproductive period and will readily mate again after a successful copulation.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Individuals found in autumn (March to April) may appear darker in color.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
This species is an Australian endemic, occurring across the mainland and surrounding islands such as Tasmania and Barrow Island.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Their colour variations are thought to be driven by environmental factors rather than genetics.
Source: Wikipedia
Questions people ask
Do Christmas Jewel Spiders bite humans?
They can bite, but the bite is only mildly painful and may cause temporary redness, swelling or itching.
Source: Wikipedia
Are they dangerous to pets or people?
No, their bite is not medically serious and they are considered harmless aside from mild skin reactions.
Source: Wikipedia
Where are these spiders found?
They are native to Australia and occur throughout the mainland and nearby islands.
Source: Wikipedia
What do they eat?
They catch and eat small flying insects that get stuck in their webs.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Araneidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austracantha
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.