Spiders of Southeast Asia
Here is a small photographic overview of the spiders of Southeast Asia that I had the chance to encounter.
Southeast Asia is home to a great variety of spider species, ranging from small jumping spiders to crab spiders, orb-weaving spiders to black widows. The region is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, making it an ideal playground for arachnologists and nature lovers.
They can be found in humid tropical forests, savannas, coastal zones, mountainous areas, and even in urban environments. Each habitat offers spiders unique ecological niches in which to thrive.
Many Southeast Asian spiders are adorned with bright colors and striking patterns. Some species display colors warning potential predators of their toxicity, while others blend perfectly into their environment to avoid detection.
Habitats
- Humid tropical forests, primary and secondary
- Forest edges, clearings, paths, plantations (rubber, banana…)
- Mangroves, rice fields, coastal areas
- Human-altered habitats: walls, gardens, houses, temples
- Karst caves (troglophile species)
Most frequently encountered families
Araneoidea (Orb-weaving spiders)
- Nephila pilipes – Large golden orb-weavers, spectacular webs up to 2 meters
- Argiope aemula, Argiope versicolor – Webs with stabilimentum
- Leucauge spp. – Small silver weavers in shrubs
- Cyrtophora, Gasteracantha, Macracantha – Rigid or sheet-like orb webs
Thomisoidea (Crab spiders)
- Thomisus, Amyciaea, Camaricus – Active on tropical flowers
- Sometimes mimicking inflorescences or ants
Salticidae (Jumping spiders)
- Telamonia, Thiania, Myrmarachne – Numerous colorful, sometimes mimetic species
- Often seen on leaves, trunks, walls
- Very developed courtship behaviors
Lycosoidea
- Hippasa, Lycosa, Pardosa – Ground-dwelling species seen on litter or tropical lawns
Tetragnathidae
- Tetragnatha spp. – Elongated bodies, webs near rice fields, humid zones
- Active at dusk or night
Oxyopidae
- Oxyopes spp. – Diurnal hunting spiders, often found on flowers or tall grasses
Sparassidae (Huntsman spiders)
- Heteropoda venatoria – Giant hunting spider, common in homes
- Fast, nocturnal, non-aggressive but impressive
Pholcidae
- Pholcus, Spermophora – Found in buildings, caves, natural shelters
Theraphosidae (Tarantulas)
- Found in tropical forests: Cyriopagopus, Ornithoctonus
- Burrowing or arboreal species
Regional specificities
- High diversity of mimicry (ants, leaves, flowers)
- Many undescribed or little-known species
- Activity rhythms often nocturnal or crepuscular
- Spectacular species adapted to the tropical canopy
- Many interactions with traditional cultures or human habitats
Spiders of Southeast Asia
- Araneae
- Argiope versicolor, Thailand 2017 - Nephilidae
- Trichonephila antipodiana, Thailand, July 2023 - Salticidae
- genus Cosmophasis, Thailand, July 2023
- Rhene flavicomans, Thailand, July 2023
- Epocilla calcarata, Thailand, July 2023
- Subfamily Salticinae, Cambodia, July 2023
- genus Menemerus, Cambodia, July 2023
