There are a few different arachnids that go by the name ‘Banana Spider’. I will mention the other pretenders at the end of this post, but for clarity, this post is about the magnificent Golden Silk Orb-Weavers.
The golden silk orb-weavers (scientifically known as the genus Nephila), are captivating spiders that are often referred to as the banana spider. There are currently 10 species and numerous subspecies within the genus. There used to be more, but in 2018 some of the Golden Silk Orb-Weavers were reclassified into the taxonomy of the genus Trichonephila. All Golden Silk Orb-Weavers have a striking appearance and intricate webs. The nominal species is Nephila pilipes.
With its shimmering golden webs and striking appearance, this spider has intrigued many a nature lover. But there’s so much more to this eight-legged wonder than meets the eye.
Appearance & Characteristics of Banana Spider
The females of this species are the showstoppers, often reaching up to 5 cm (1.5–2 inches) in body length, and that’s not including the legs. When you factor in their long limbs, they can span up to 13 cm! Males, on the other hand, are the shy, smaller counterparts often only an inch in the body – half the size of females.
With a black, often silvery carapace and a yellowish abdomen, they’re a sight to behold. Their colouring can range from a red to a green hue in the yellow and it does differ across the species. Their legs, black with golden hues, add to their charming appearance.
These spiders are renowned for their golden-colored silk, which not only gives them their name but has also been a subject of scientific and cultural interest throughout history.
Distribution – Location and Habitat
The banana spider (golden orb-weaver) is a truly global arachnid. Across the species, they can be found in warm regions spanning Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas, they’ve made quite a name for themselves. They’re particularly fond of warm and humid climates, making forests, shrubs, and gardens their favorite hangout spots. So while they can be found around the world, it tends to be in areas of a similar, warm climate.
They are also particularly fond of and successful in urban environments due to the large availability of prey and fewer natural predators. In all habitats, they will look for dense vegetation to set up their webs where traffic of prey such as flies is likely to be greater.
Their golden webs, often span between trees and shrubs, up to 2 meters across. When it comes to spreading out, young spiderlings take flight in the wind and can travel vast distances that way. To put this into perspective, many are blown across the Tasmanian sea every year, taking flight from Australia and ending up in New Zealand where they are not an endemic species.
The Lifestyle & Behaviour of Banana Spider
Two words to describe life as a banana spider would be patience and precision. These diurnal arachnids are most active during the day. They’re solitary by nature, often seen meticulously crafting their webs or waiting patiently for their next meal. Their webs, besides being a trap for prey, are also their homes, where they spend all of their time.
The web serves as a permanent base for orb-weavers, and they take great care to craft them delicately, asymmetrically at dimensions up to 1.5 meters across – the largest can be up to 2 meters. The spider will weave a course non-sticky web first, before returning to fill in the gaps. While most spiders remove the non-sticky weaves when completing their web, the orb-weavers leave them in.
Diet & Nutrition of Banana Spider
Banana spider’s carnivorous diet primarily consists of flying insects, but they are not too picky on the species. They will commonly feed on different types of flies, beetles, locusts and cicadas depending on what is available in their location.
While small prey does make up the majority of their meals, they do have a preference for larger prey, and while they may not make as many large kills, it is these big meals that provide the fuel for most of their growth. Their webs are strong and can often take a hold of some bats and small birds and these spiders are more than capable of making a meal of these larger animals. They have even been observed to eat small snakes!
Once an unsuspecting insect or animal gets ensnared in their sticky, golden web, the spider swiftly immobilizes it with venom. After this, they wrap their catch in silk, preserving it for a later feast. Their hunting strategy is a blend of patience and precision, ensuring they never go hungry.
Predators & Threats to Banana Spider
They don’t have a huge amount of natural predators, but almost all of the threats they do have come from the sky. Birds, wasps, and damselflies are the top predators of these spiders. Wasps can be very crafty in their hunting too. They are known to perch near the end of a golden orb-weaver’s web and imitate a distressed catch. Then when the spider approaches the wasp strikes.
Natural predators are only one side of the coin though, there is always the human threat too. Many people, out of fear or ignorance, destroy their webs or harm them, despite the critical role creatures like this play in the ecosystem.
Despite the threats they face, populations are stable, and they are a very resilient insect.
Reproduction
The male banana spider, being much smaller than the female, has to approach her with caution. He’ll often send vibrations through the web, signalling his intentions. This is his way of letting the female know he is here for reproduction and not food.
Interestingly, in some spider species, the male offers a gift wrapped in silk to the female. This isn’t just a romantic gesture; it’s also a way to distract her during mating. While the golden silk orb-weaver doesn’t always follow this ritual, it’s a common practice among many spider species.
After a successful mating, the female lays her eggs, which can number anywhere between 300 to 3000 eggs, can you imagine that! She carefully encases them in a protective silk sac. This sac acts as a shield, keeping the eggs safe from predators and environmental factors.
The mother-to-be often stays close to her egg sac, guarding it against potential threats. Her maternal instincts ensure that as many spiderlings as possible get a fighting chance at life.
After a period, the eggs hatch, and tiny spiderlings emerge. These little ones will start their lives in a communal web before venturing out on their own.
Lifespan of Banana Spider
Banana Spiders don’t have a long life by human standards. They typically live for up to a year, but this is a perfectly long life for a spider. In this time they will experience life as an egg, a curious spiderling, and after many molts finally, a mature adult. Each stage comes with its own set of adventures and challenges.
A juvenile will molt several times before they reach maturity – this can range from between 7 and 12 times. Molting is how they grow, but once the breeding season begins and they team up with a mate they will stop molting. At this stage, they will stay the same size for the remainder of their lives.
Population and Conservation
The banana spider isn’t on the endangered list, but as always, it’s crucial to ensure their habitats remain undisturbed. With increasing deforestation and habitat destruction, it’s up to us to ensure these golden weavers continue to thrive.
According to the IUCN red list, all populations of the various species are stable including the American Golden Orb Weaver Nephila clavipes, Batik Golden Orb Weaver Nephila antipodiana, Australian Golden Orb Weaver Nephila edulis and Pacific Golden Orb Weaver Nephila plumipes.
3 Banana Spider Myths
- Deadly Bites: While their bite might cause some discomfort, it’s far from deadly for humans.
- Golden Bananas: Their name might suggest a fruity connection, but it’s their golden webs that earned them the title.
- Banana Shipments: There’s a myth that these spiders lurk in banana shipments. In reality, it’s a different spider altogether!
5 Fun Banana Spider Facts for Kids
- Their massive webs can be up to 2 meters wide! That’s longer than most humans.
- The golden silk they produce is so strong and beautiful that people have made clothes from it.
- Even with eight eyes, they don’t have the best vision. They rely more on their sense of touch.
- Female banana spiders are the queens of their domain, often being much larger than the males.
- They’re not picky eaters. If it flies and gets caught in their web, it’s dinner!
Other Spiders Known as Banana Spiders
Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria)
Physical Features: This spider is considered one of the most venomous in the world. It has a leg span of up to 13-15 cm and a body length of about 48 mm. They have a hairy appearance and are brownish in color.
Location & Habitat: Native to tropical South America, they are often found in forests, banana plantations, and sometimes in homes or among goods in human-populated areas.
Cupiennius species
Physical Features: These spiders have a robust build with a leg span of up to 10 cm. They are generally brown with some species having distinct color patterns.
Location & Habitat: They are found in Central and South America, primarily in rainforests and other tropical environments.
Argiope appensa
Physical Features: This spider has a striking appearance with a combination of black and bright yellow patterns. Females can have a body length of up to 25 mm, while males are much smaller.
Location & Habitat: Native to the Pacific Islands, they are commonly found in gardens, forests, and other vegetated areas.
Trichonephila clavipes
Physical Features: Also confusingly known as the ‘golden silk orb-weaver.’ As with many spiders in the genus Trichonephila, they used to be in the genus ‘Nephila‘ with the other this spiders we know as golden silk orb-weavers, and despite the change in taxonomy, they still carry their common name. This one has a leg span of up to 13 cm for females. They have a silver carapace and a yellowish abdomen with tufts of hair.
Location & Habitat: They are native to the Americas, from the southern U.S. to Argentina, and are often found in forests, shrubs, and gardens.
Nephilengys malabarensis
Physical Features: This spider has a leg span of up to 12 cm. They have a slender build with a combination of brown, black, and sometimes yellowish patterns.
Location & Habitat: Found in Asia, especially in regions like India and Sri Lanka, they prefer tropical forests and sometimes inhabit human dwellings.
