Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Argiope
Species: A. protensa
Binomial name: Argiope protensa
Common name: Tailed grass spider, Longtailed orb-weaving spider, Teardrop spider, Long-tailed Argiope
Argiope protensa is a species of the spider that has no similar appearance to any other spider species. They are found in Australia, New Caledonia a, New Guinea and throughout New Zealand’s two main islands usually sitting in small circular webs that are strung between stalks of tall grass or between branches of small shrubs.
The long, pointed abdomen is distinctive on many specimens except on immature ones. This long abdomen varies in length and extends beyond the spinnerets. This species varies in colour with some displaying more yellow, while others are more silvery.
Males are smaller than the females at about 5 mm in length.
The females egg sac resembles a small cup with a lid, it is suspended in a network of silken threads.
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