CITES: no special status
An important way in which golden silk spiders benefit humans is with the use of their dragline thread (the silk). N. clavipes, in particular, weave rather strong webs compared to other species of spiders. Currently, there are tests being done on the potential benefits of human use of the dragline thread. The dragline in golden silk spiders surpasses the strength of "Kevlar," which is a fiber used in bullet-proof vests. The dragline thread is biodegradable, stronger than steel, and economically valuable (Unger 1996).
N. clavipes feed on small flying insects. Webs constructed by golden silk spiders are used to catch this prey. They can feed on grasshoppers, flies, and other small insects. As the prey is entangled in the strong web, N. clavipes wrap it in silk like a casing.
Nephila clavipes, golden silk spiders, can be found in the southeast United States through Argentina and Peru. Golden silk spiders are most commonly found throughout Peurto Rico (Vargas 1997).
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Golden web spiders are found in areas of high humidity and relatively open space. They live in forest areas along trails and clearing edges (Vargas 1997).
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
N. clavipes are highly sexually dimorphic. Females are significantly larger than males ranging from 5 to 6 times the size of the male. Generally, females are 3 inches long. Newly hatched golden silk spiders weigh 0.07g and adult females weigh 4g. They are mostly yellow with an elongated abdomen and long, hairy legs (Higgens 1992).
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
N. clavipes go through many molting stages. As male N. clavipes reach maturity, they inhabit the webs of females. Males occupy a hub position, which is an area 5cm above the female, and guard her.
Approximately four days before females reach a final molt, they cease web reparation and prey capture. Females are sexually receptive for 48 hours after their final molt has occured. For reproduction to occur among N. clavipes, males must stimulate females and arouse them in order to prevent from becoming prey. Although, in this species of spider, predation on males is not a common occurence. When males approach females for copulation, males vibrate their abdomen and uses a plucking motion. This activity varies depending on the age of females. Once the sperm is transfered, it is stored in the spermathecae. After copulation, females can change web-sites and male partners throughout their adulthood.
After the final molt, females can live 27 days, while males live from 14-21 (Christenson 1985, Brown 1985).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)