Thomisus spectabilis

1 Spectacular Crab Spider at Acton, ACT

Thomisus spectabilis at Acton, ACT - 3 Dec 2019
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Identification history

Thomisus spectabilis 26 Dec 2019 MichaelMulvaney
Thomisus spectabilis 4 Dec 2019 MichaelMulvaney
Thomisidae (family) 4 Dec 2019 Harrisi

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7 comments

YumiCallaway wrote:
   5 Dec 2019
I don't think it's Thomisus spectabilis because (through the use of external sources) their abdomen isn't rounded like this one, instead having two lumps on either side which seem quite prominent. Here are some photos: http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1031
On the other hand, Zygometis xanthogaster seems to fit in with this individual: a little bit of orange hairs on the face, fully rounded abdomen with a distinct dark spot in the upper middle and light smaller ones neatly arranged towards the middle and back. (https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:43b8c120-398f-413e-ab0f-81f58344c598#gallery)
While on this topic, I feel some of the sightings under Thomisus spectabilis have been incorrectly identified: at a quick glance, they look like Zygometis zanthogaster.
   6 Dec 2019
Yumi - happy for you to take the lead but this reference states that Zygometris xanthogaster has brown stripes on its head.
http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1942
Of the sightings submitted only that of Cath has the brown stripes
YumiCallaway wrote:
   6 Dec 2019
Sorry, I based my decision on the images from ALA: some of them look exactly like this one! Does that mean these are still Thomiscus spectabilis though? All the images from external sources that I can find have the lifted segments on both sides of the abdomen and isn't fully rounded while this and the other few sightings are.
   6 Dec 2019
Not sure maybe Stuart or Andrew O can help?
YumiCallaway wrote:
   6 Dec 2019
Ok. And also, is the brown striping on the head a 'must'? Some individuals on ALA for example seem to have lighter stripes so maybe not having any stripes is a possibility? Like it might be that immatures haven't developed the stripes??
   6 Dec 2019
ALA is a bit of buyer beware in its sightings and use of photos so perhaps not a good source to base an ID on
YumiCallaway wrote:
   6 Dec 2019
Alright, I'll keep that in mind for future references, thank you!

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Nearby sightings

Page 4 of 5 - image sightings only

Ctenotus taeniolatus (Copper-tailed Skink) at Acton, ACT - 16 Dec 2018 by RodDeb
Isopeda sp. (genus) (Huntsman Spider) at Acton, ACT - 16 Dec 2018 by RodDeb
Lasioglossum (Callalictus) callomelittinum (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 10 Dec 2018 by AlisonMilton
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Acton, ACT - 10 Dec 2018 by Alison Milton
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Acton, ACT - 6 Dec 2018 by RodDeb
Ichneumonidae (family) (Unidentified ichneumon wasp) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2018 by Alison Milton
Cermatulus nasalis (Predatory shield bug, Glossy shield bug) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2018 by Alison Milton
Australiphthiria hilaris (Slender Bee Fly) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2018 by David
Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) at Acton, ACT - 2 Dec 2018 by AlisonMilton
Tachinidae (family) (Unidentified Bristle fly) at Acton, ACT - 30 Nov 2018 by TimL
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Acton, ACT - 30 Nov 2018 by Alison Milton
Castiarina sexplagiata (Jewel beetle) at Hackett, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by Harrisi
Altica sp. (genus) (Flea beetle) at Acton, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by TimL
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Acton, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by TimL
Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Hackett, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by Harrisi
Australiphthiria hilaris (Slender Bee Fly) at Acton, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Acton, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm) at Acton, ACT - 27 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Tephritidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Fruit or Seed fly) at Acton, ACT - 22 Nov 2018 by TimL
Rhytiphora paulla (Longhorn beetle) at Acton, ACT - 22 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Rhytiphora paulla (Longhorn beetle) at Acton, ACT - 22 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Cercopidae (family) (Unidentified spittlebug or froghopper) at Hackett, ACT - 21 Nov 2018 by TimL
Pentatomoidea (superfamily) (Unidentified Shield or Stink bug) at Acton, ACT - 21 Nov 2018 by TimL
Australiphthiria hilaris (Slender Bee Fly) at Acton, ACT - 19 Nov 2018 by TimL
Pardalotus punctatus (Spotted Pardalote) at Acton, ACT - 16 Nov 2018 by RodDeb
Meriphus fullo (Flower Weevil) at Acton, ACT - 13 Nov 2018 by JanetRussell
Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Tufted Tyrant Ant) at Acton, ACT - 12 Nov 2018 by TimL
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Acton, ACT - 12 Nov 2018 by PeterR
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Acton, ACT - 12 Nov 2018 by PeterR
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Hackett, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by ClubFED
Pentatomoidea (superfamily) (Unidentified Shield or Stink bug) at Acton, ACT - 10 Nov 2018 by Tim L
Lipotriches sp. (genus) (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 10 Nov 2018 by TimL
Pogona barbata (Eastern Bearded Dragon) at Hackett, ACT - 30 Oct 2018 by TimL
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 29 Oct 2018 by RodDeb
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Acton, ACT - 26 Oct 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 26 Oct 2018 by RodDeb
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Acton, ACT - 26 Oct 2018 by Christine
Periscepta polysticta (Spotted Day Moth) at Acton, ACT - 15 Oct 2018 by JohnBundock
Turdus merula (Eurasian Blackbird) at Acton, ACT - 6 Oct 2018 by RodDeb
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Acton, ACT - 5 Oct 2018 by GlennMcMellon
Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Acton, ACT - 25 Sep 2018 by TimL
Pachycephala pectoralis (Golden Whistler) at Acton, ACT - 13 Sep 2018 by RodDeb
Lemna disperma (Common Duck-weed) at Acton, ACT - 9 Sep 2018 by PeteWoodall
Altica sp. (genus) (Flea beetle) at Acton, ACT - 2 Sep 2018 by Tim L
Chenonetta jubata (Australian Wood Duck) at Acton, ACT - 21 Aug 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthiza pusilla (Brown Thornbill) at Acton, ACT - 16 Aug 2018 by RodDeb
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 1 Aug 2018 by Alison Milton
Leptocneria reducta (White cedar moth) at Acton, ACT - 31 Jul 2018 by JohnBundock
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Acton, ACT - 19 Jul 2018 by RodDeb
Sericornis frontalis (White-browed Scrubwren) at Acton, ACT - 19 Jul 2018 by RodDeb
Cerrena zonata at Acton, ACT - 3 Jul 2018 by Heino1
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (New Holland Honeyeater) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jul 2018 by roymcd
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Acton, ACT - 3 Jul 2018 by roymcd
Acanthiza pusilla (Brown Thornbill) at Acton, ACT - 25 Jun 2018 by RodDeb
Alisterus scapularis (Australian King-Parrot) at Acton, ACT - 25 Jun 2018 by RodDeb
Cerrena zonata at Acton, ACT - 12 Jun 2018 by Alison Milton
Coprinellus etc. (An Inkcap) at Acton, ACT - 12 Jun 2018 by Alison Milton
Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Acton, ACT - 12 Jun 2018 by Alison Milton
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Acton, ACT - 25 May 2018 by Tim L
Megastigmus sp. (genus) (Parasitic wasp) at Acton, ACT - 22 May 2018 by TimL
Megastigmus sp. (genus) (Parasitic wasp) at Acton, ACT - 18 May 2018 by TimL
Lasioglossum (Homalictus) punctatus (A halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 20 Apr 2018 by PeterA
Hylaeus (Prosopisteron) littleri (Hylaeine colletid bee) at Acton, ACT - 9 Apr 2018 by PeterA
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 5 Apr 2018 by RodDeb
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (New Holland Honeyeater) at Acton, ACT - 1 Apr 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 1 Apr 2018 by RodDeb
Pardalotus punctatus (Spotted Pardalote) at Acton, ACT - 29 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthiza lineata (Striated Thornbill) at Acton, ACT - 29 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Acton, ACT - 28 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Amegilla sp. (genus) (Blue Banded Bee) at Acton, ACT - 28 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Intellagama lesueurii howittii (Gippsland Water Dragon) at Acton, ACT - 19 Mar 2018 by jbromilow50
Lipotriches sp. (genus) (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Thyreus caeruleopunctatus (Chequered cuckoo bee) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Lipotriches sp. (genus) (Halictid bee) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Rhipidura albiscapa (Grey Fantail) at Acton, ACT - 15 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata (Golden-Green Carpenter Bee) at Acton, ACT - 14 Mar 2018 by roymcd
Platycercus elegans (Crimson Rosella) at Acton, ACT - 12 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Ctenotus taeniolatus (Copper-tailed Skink) at Acton, ACT - 8 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (New Holland Honeyeater) at Acton, ACT - 8 Mar 2018 by RodDeb
Strepera graculina (Pied Currawong) at Acton, ACT - 7 Mar 2018 by MatthewFrawley
Camponotus consobrinus (Banded sugar ant) at Acton, ACT - 6 Mar 2018 by Tammy
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 4 Mar 2018 by David
Zanda funerea (Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo) at Acton, ACT - 22 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Graphium macleayanum (Macleay's Swallowtail) at Acton, ACT - 20 Feb 2018 by roymcd
Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Common Flatwing) at Acton, ACT - 17 Feb 2018 by Christine
Ocybadistes walkeri (Green Grass-dart) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Christine
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Acton, ACT - 16 Feb 2018 by Christine
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Acton, ACT - 15 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Rhytiphora paulla (Longhorn beetle) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by Alison Milton
Papilio aegeus (Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Sericornis frontalis (White-browed Scrubwren) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Intellagama lesueurii howittii (Gippsland Water Dragon) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Platycercus elegans (Crimson Rosella) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Pardalotus punctatus (Spotted Pardalote) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Acton, ACT - 5 Feb 2018 by RodDeb
Rutilia sp. (genus) (A Rutilia bristle fly, subgenus unknown) at Acton, ACT - 3 Feb 2018 by Qwerty
Gastrimargus musicus (Yellow-winged Locust or Grasshopper) at Acton, ACT - 29 Jan 2018 by Christine
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Acton, ACT - 29 Jan 2018 by Christine

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 3 Dec 2019 03:06 PM Recorded on
  • Harrisi Recorded by

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm 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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