Скачать или смотреть Leaf-curling Spider(Acusilas coccineus)-Read description to know more

Acusilas coccineus is a species of spider in the family Araneidae, found from India and China to Indonesia.In India, it is found in woodlands and among shrubs. It is a small orb-weaver.The spider is distinguished by having a curled leaf at the center of its web, in which it shelters. The curled leaf also shelters eggs.


The web, with its shelter at the center is easily identifiable. The leaf curling spider cleverly weaves a leaf or another object into the center of its web as a hide-away from predators. Leaves are twisted along the length to form a funnel. It is an incomplete circle, being open at the top and fanning downwards. The spider uses supporting threads attached to a shrub to suspend its curled-up dry leaf, with the fan-like main web radiating out from the leaf in which the spider hides, with only the tips of its legs visible, feeling for the vibrations of insects colliding with the web. It only leaves its shelter if the prey is stuck in the web, or if the web needs repair. Like other orb weavers, the spider usually rebuilds its web at night. The spider pulls and silks its leaf into a retreat cylinder, silken shut at the top and open at the hub.
Only a few observation in India are known to exist.