Central Coast Arkys IndexArkys alatus (Winged Arkys) Arkys alticephala (High-headed Arkys) Arkys curtulus (Bird-dropping Spider) Arkys dilatatus (Dilated Arkys) Arkys enigma Arkys furcatus Arkys lancearius (Triangular Spider) Arkys transversus Arkys speechleyi

Arkys alticephala is commonly known as the High-headed Arkys, belonging to the group of Orb Weaver Spiders in the genus Arkys (also in the group known as the Triangular Spiders). This strange looking, but beautiful spider, is a medium-sized spider whose camouflagued appearance is perfect, as it is an ambush predator/hunter, that preys on edible arthropods. Like other Arkys in the genus, it has the characteristic knobbly body.

Arkys alticephala, Woy Woy Bay NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Woy Woy Bay NSW © Michael Doe

This species is found throughout the east coast and hinterland of mainland Australia, south-coast of Western Australia and Tasmania.

Arkys alticephala, Woy Woy Bay NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Woy Woy Bay NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Narara NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Narara NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Narara NSW © Michael Doe
Arkys alticephala, Woy Woy Bay NSW © Michael Doe

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Chelicerata
  • Class: Arachnida
  • Order: Araneae
  • Infraorder: Araneomorphae
  • Family: Arkyidae
  • Genus: Arkys
  • Species: Arkys alticephala

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs © Michael Doe
  2. Arkys alticephala (Urquhart, 1891) High-headed Arkys, Arachne.org.au, https://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=2524
  3. New Archemorus [Arkys] species Balogh 1978 – Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientarium Hungarieae 24, 1978
  4. Arkys alticephala (Urquhart, 1891), Orb-Weaver Spider, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Arkys alticephala

Central Coast Arkys IndexArkys alatus (Winged Arkys) Arkys alticephala (High-headed Arkys) Arkys curtulus (Bird-dropping Spider) Arkys dilatatus (Dilated Arkys) Arkys enigma Arkys furcatus Arkys lancearius (Triangular Spider) Arkys transversus Arkys speechleyi

Central Coast SpidersSpider Index Arachnura higginsi (Scorpion-tailed Spider) Arkys Index Celaenia Deinopis subrufa (Net-casting Spider) Dolophones turrigera (Turreted Wrap-around Spider) Maratus volans (Peacock Spider) Ordgarius magnificus (Magnificent Spider) Servaea villosa (Shaggy-velvet Servaea) Tetragnatha nitens (Shining Long-jawed Spider) Triangular Spiders

Central CoastFauna Spiders

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