The St Andrews Cross spider gets its name from the peculiar shape of its web, a bluish-white cross pattern made of silk that spans out from the centre, which bears a close resemblance to the St Andrews Cross found on the Scottish flag.
Untangling the Mystery of the X Web
Aside from being a visually stunning decoration, the cross is also a functional tool used to attract and catch prey. Although, the way in which the web achieves this goal is a source of debate among experts.
Some say the cross reflects UV light to help draw in flying insects that rely on UV light to find food sources in flowers and other vegetation. The web can also confuse predators, as the cross pattern makes the spider appear larger and more menacing than it really is, causing attackers to think twice before they strike. [1]
Also, the sticky web is a major nuisance to birds as it gets stuck in their feathers. And when provoked, the spider drops down from the web and shakes it vigorously, causing both the spider and the web to turn into a ‘blur,’ thus confusing the attacker in the process.
Identification
The St Andrews Cross spider ranges in size from 3mm – 4mm (males) and 10mm – 16mm (females).
Females have a silvery carapace and a yellow, red, silver, and black branded upper abdomen with two yellow stripes below. Males are smaller in size and have a brown and cream colour.
Young male spiders start their life creating circular shaped webs, featuring an interconnected zig-zag pattern. As they grow older, the web’s shape forms into the more familiar ‘cross shape’ that the species is known for.
Distribution and Habitats
With a population spread across eastern Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the St Andrews Cross spider is a familiar sight in suburban homes and the outback.
The spider can build medium-large sized webs in virtually any outdoor setting, be it the garden bed, bushes, trees, shrubbery, and general vegetation.
For this reason, the St Andrews Spider is a great form of pest control in your garden. They can use their web to attract and hunt all types of prey, such as flies, moths, butterflies, bugs, and bees. If you have a recurring problem with these kind of pests, having a St Andrews Cross spider around is a safe and natural way to protect your garden.
Is the St Andrews Cross Spider Dangerous?
Fortunately, they are not aggressive towards people and their bite is not toxic to us. There are no reported cases of serious consequences as the result of being bit by a St Andrews Cross spider.
In the worst case scenario, you may experience mild pain and discomfort in the bite area. Similar to other non-lethal spider bites, treatment is easy. Apply gentle pressure on the wound with an ice pack. And the symptoms will naturally run their course within a few short hours.
How to Get Rid of Them
Most St Andrews Cross spiders do not enter buildings and instead prefer to stay outside. If, however, you do find a large infestation in the inside or outside of your home or business, talk to the local pest experts today.
When you contact a company like All Bugs, you will get all the help and support you need to resolve your pest problem. We will discuss your pest problem, arrange a site survey, and provide a quote and treatment recommendations. After starting treatment, we will visit you as much as necessary to ensure the problem is resolved.
To request a free, no obligation quote for professional spider control, call (07) 3324 0111 or send your enquiry now.
[1]https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/st-andrews-cross-spider/
Leave a Reply