Golden Orb Weaver Spider With Gold Web

The Nephila clavipes or Golden Orb Weaver is the oldest surviving genus of spiders known to man. Fossilised specimens date back as far as 135 million years!! ..Now these dudes are BIG and they spin big webs to match. While some of them are golden in colour, this one clearly is not and nor are many others, but one thing they do all have in common is that their webs glow golden in sunset or early morning light. This colour comes from Xanthurenic acid, two quinones and an unknown fourth compound and can be adjusted in intensity by the spider, to suit their surroundings. Yellow is known to attract bees and Golden Orbs love to eat bees, so this could be an explanation. It's also a good camoflage colour against foliage in shady locations...Now when I say big, I mean they can catch and kill small birds and snakes type big. Queensland appears to boast the biggest recorded, with a body 6.9cm long.