Maratus hesperus

21 "Venus" Peacock Spider at Belconnen, ACT

Maratus hesperus at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Oct 2013
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Identification history

Maratus hesperus 17 Apr 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Maratus hesperus 16 Apr 2018 Harrisi

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3 comments

   17 Apr 2018
When Stuart Harris observed this species in a Majura vineyard, he not only discovered a new species but a whole new genus. He was inspired by the yellow disc in a dark blue background to give it the latin name of the plant Venus, what we see as the shiny yellow morning star
KerriLee wrote:
   20 Apr 2018
Wonderful!
Csteele4 wrote:
   7 Mar 2024
What a beautiful spider!

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Nearby sightings

Page 2 of 5 - image sightings only

Luzula densiflora (Dense Wood-rush) at Cook, ACT - 4 Oct 2021 by drakes
Paratettix australis (A pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 26 Sep 2021 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 26 Sep 2021 by CathB
Paratettix argillaceus (A pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 26 Sep 2021 by CathB
Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Cook, ACT - 16 Sep 2021 by CathB
Cymbonotus sp. (preissianus or lawsonianus) (Bears Ears) at Cook, ACT - 10 Sep 2021 by drakes
Dillwynia sp. at Cook, ACT - 9 Sep 2021 by MattFox
Pogona barbata (Eastern Bearded Dragon) at Cook, ACT - 9 Sep 2021 by Tammy
Perga sp. (genus) (Sawfly or Spitfire) at Cook, ACT - 28 Aug 2021 by Tammy
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 17 Aug 2021 by CathB
Luzula sp. (Woodrush) at Cook, ACT - 15 Aug 2021 by MattFox
Acacia gunnii (Ploughshare Wattle) at Cook, ACT - 5 Aug 2021 by drakes
Brachyloma daphnoides (Daphne Heath) at Cook, ACT - 18 Jul 2021 by MattFox
Coprinellus etc. (An Inkcap) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2021 by drakes
Pimelea curviflora (Curved Rice-flower) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2021 by drakes
Leucopogon virgatus (Common Beard-heath) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2021 by drakes
Maratus chrysomelas (Variable Peacock Spider) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2021 by CathB
Maratus hesperus ("Venus" Peacock Spider) at Cook, ACT - 16 Apr 2021 by CathB
Trichalus sp. (genus) (Net-winged beetle) at Cook, ACT - 15 Apr 2021 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 5 Apr 2021 by CathB
Amanita sp. (Amanita sp.) at Cook, ACT - 23 Mar 2021 by drakes
Meritastis lythrodana (A tortrix or leafroller moth) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2021 by drakes
Melichrus urceolatus (Urn Heath) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2021 by drakes
Eucalyptus mannifera (Brittle Gum) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2021 by drakes
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red Stringybark) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2021 by drakes
Crocanthes glycina (Crocanthes glycina) at Cook, ACT - 11 Mar 2021 by drakes
Cyclosa trilobata (Three-lobed spider) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2021 by CathB
Mataeomera mesotaenia (Large Scale Moth) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2021 by CathB
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Cook, ACT - 21 Feb 2021 by drakes
Cassinia quinquefaria (Rosemary Cassinia) at Cook, ACT - 21 Feb 2021 by drakes
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 19 Feb 2021 by CathB
Amphirhoe sloanei (Longicorn or Longhorn beetle) at Cook, ACT - 18 Feb 2021 by CathB
Meranoplus sp. (genus) (Shield Ant) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2021 by CathB
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2021 by CathB
Sandalodes scopifer (White-spotted Sandalodes) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2021 by CathB
Sandalodes superbus (Ludicra Jumping Spider) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2021 by CathB
Ancita sp. (genus) (Longicorn or longhorn beetle) at Cook, ACT - 5 Feb 2021 by CathB
Geitoneura klugii (Marbled Xenica) at Cook, ACT - 3 Feb 2021 by drakes
Laxta granicollis (Common bark or trilobite cockroach) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jan 2021 by tpreston
Braconidae (family) (Unidentified braconid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jan 2021 by CathB
Bisallardiana gymnopleura (Brown flower chafer) at Cook, ACT - 14 Jan 2021 by CathB
Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Tufted Tyrant Ant) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Chaetophyes compacta (Tube spittlebug) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Tiphiidae (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) bicingulatum (Halictid Bee) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Lipotriches (Austronomia) ferricauda (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Nemophora (genus) (A Fairy Moth) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Orthorhinus cylindrirostris (Elephant Weevil) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Megachile lucidiventris (Resin bee, Megachilid bee) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Phlogistus sp. (genus) (Clerid beetle) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Stomorhina discolor (Snout fly) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Obrida fascialis (One banded longicorn) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jan 2021 by CathB
Eumeninae (subfamily) (Unidentified Potter wasp) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by CathB
Lipotriches (Austronomia) australica at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by CathB
Castiarina crenata (Jewel beetle) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by CathB
Odontomyia hunteri (Soldier fly) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by CathB
Tebenna micalis (Small Thistle Moth) at Cook, ACT - 3 Jan 2021 by CathB
Lepturidea sp. (genus) (Comb-clawed beetle) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Comptosia sp. (genus) (Unidentified Comptosia bee fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Psilota sp. (genus) (Hover fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Conopidae (family) (Thick-headed fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Isodontia sp. (genus) (Unidentified Grass-carrying wasp) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Trachymela sp. (genus) (Brown button beetle) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Macrobathra (genus) (A cosmet moth) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Galanga labeculata (Double-spotted cicada) at Cook, ACT - 30 Dec 2020 by CathB
Castiarina erythroptera (Lycid Mimic Jewel Beetle) at Cook, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by CathB
Zenithicola crassus (Clerid beetle) at Cook, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by CathB
Hoshihananomia leucosticta (Pintail or Tumbling flower beetle) at Cook, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by CathB
Melophorus perthensis (Field furnace ant) at Cook, ACT - 11 Dec 2020 by CathB
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Cook, ACT - 11 Dec 2020 by CathB
Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. squamatus (Scaly Buttons) at Cook, ACT - 6 Dec 2020 by drakes
Yoyetta timothyi (Brown Firetail Cicada) at Cook, ACT - 5 Dec 2020 by MattFox
Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Yellow Slender Robber Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Nov 2020 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) lanarium (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 28 Nov 2020 by CathB
Sonchus asper (Prickly Sowthistle) at Cook, ACT - 23 Nov 2020 by drakes
Dianella revoluta var. revoluta (Black-Anther Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 12 Nov 2020 by drakes
Indigofera australis subsp. australis (Australian Indigo) at Cook, ACT - 7 Nov 2020 by drakes
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Chrysopilus sp. (genus) (A snipe fly) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Wahlenbergia multicaulis (Tadgell's Bluebell) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Thysanotus tuberosus subsp. tuberosus (Common Fringe-lily) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Tolpis barbata (Yellow Hawkweed) at Cook, ACT - 3 Nov 2020 by drakes
Tiliqua rugosa (Shingleback Lizard) at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by drakes
Scopodes sp. (genus) (Predaceous ground beetle) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Carphurus sp. (genus) (Soft-winged flower beetle) at Cook, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by CathB
Phaeoceros sp. at Cook, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by CathB
Zelleria cynetica (Rectangular Ermine Moth) at Cook, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by CathB
Acrotriche serrulata (Ground-berry) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Linaria pelisseriana (Pelisser's Toadflax) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Briza minor (Shivery Grass) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Bulbine bulbosa (Golden Lily) at Cook, ACT - 11 Oct 2020 by drakes
Goniaea australasiae (Gumleaf grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by tpreston
Eurepa marginipennis (Mottled bush cricket) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by tpreston
Argiope protensa (Long-tailed Argiope) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by trevorpreston
Platybrachys sp. (genus) (A gum hopper) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by tpreston
Lanciana montana (Montane Ground Shield-back) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by tpreston

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 29 Oct 2013 07:59 PM Recorded on
  • Harrisi Recorded by

Additional information

  • Less than 5mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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