Spiny Orb Weaver (Gasteracanthra cancriformis)
Image Copyright 2015 David Vinot
Last Observed: February 2015, Koh Chang
Observed By: David Vinot
This small spiky shelled little spider is a member of the orb weaver family of spiders. It is found in many tropical locations worldwide and has an impressive number of aliases, being know by the following: the star spider, spiny-backed orbweaver, spiny orbweaver spider, crab-like orbweaver spider, crab-like spiny orbweaver spider, jewel spider, spiny-bellied orbweaver, jewel box spider, smiley face spider or sometimes in the Philippines, the king.
Image Copyright 2015 David Vinot
NB: Clearly the two spiders pictured are different species of spiny orb-weaver. If someone can identify the black and white one we’ll add another page.
