The Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider uses the web to trap prey, especially insect prey such as flies and grasshoppers.
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with fly, Alice Springs NT
In the following series of photos, the Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider has caught a grasshopper in its web.
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Sometimes when approached in its web, the Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider will drop quickly out of the web or scarper off to hide. Whilst watching the spider wrapping up the grasshopper above, it suddenly appeared to drop out of the web. What it had actually done, was drop lower down the web and captured another young green grasshopper nymph.
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with grasshopper, Alice Springs NT
In the following photos, the Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider was consuming an insect that it had caught.
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa), Alice Springs, NT
Long-tailed St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope protensa) with prey — click image to view full screen
