Nephila maculata and a catterpiller

[Ganoderma]

Couple pictures of a giant wood spider. This one was about 2" body, and 6 1/2" leg span. remind me of some spiders i saw in california except these are 3 times the size.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/woodspider1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/woodspider2.jpg

A pretty catterpillar.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/caterpillar.jpg

[bistrobob85]

Great pics!!!! Do you know what is the general difference between Nephila Clavipes and Nephila Maculata?!?! I noticed n.clavipes have some white on their legs and some red too but is that all?!?! Gotta love those spiders :).

phil.

[Ganoderma]

I'm by far a spider expert but as far as I know clavipes are usually a way lighter colour of brown/tan/cream etc. Maculata seems to mostly be of a black colour. Pretty cool spiders though, found this one amung mango trees....must of been hunting birds haha.

anyone have any clue what type of ants those are? Its on a pointsetta bush.