Giant Golden Orbweaver (Nephila pilipes)

Ventral view. We encountered several of these giant widespread tropical orb weavers, sometimes called Northern Golden Orb Weaver or Giant Wood Spider. They exhibit an extraordinary sexual dimorphism with female gigantism and/or male dwarfism. This is a female. Males are tiny and red overall. The female is one of the largest spiders in the world. Unlike other spiders, they continue to grow after maturity to a maximum of about eight inches. These spiders are polymorphic. This is a dark morph individual. Typical morphs have more colored pattern on their abdomen. Studies have found that the bright contrasting colors of the female may attract insect prey.