DSC_6235 The earliest fossil of an extinct Mygalomorph spider from the Miocene period (5-23 million years ago). This little spider fossil, is one of only four arachnid fossils identified in New Zealand - all of them from the Foulden maar site. Middlemarch, Central Otago *
11005-16002 Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) on cave ceiling. NZ 's biggest spider, with legs up to 15 centimeters long. It is found in only a few caves at the top of the South Island. It's favourite prey are cave weta (Gymnoplectron) which it 'drops' onto from a safety line of silk attatched to the cave wall. Honeycomb Caves, Karamea *
DSC_7359 Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola) on cave ceiling. NZ 's biggest spider, with legs up to 15 centimeters long. It is found in only a few caves at the top of the South Island. It's favourite prey are cave weta (Gymnoplectron) which it 'drops' onto from a safety line of silk attatched to the cave wall. Honeycomb Caves, Karamea *
