Badge Huntsman

Photo(s): 
Badge Huntsman

Badge Huntsman

Neosparassus diana

Nocturnal. Builds a silky retreat under bark for moulting and laying eggs. The egg sac is a flattish silken capsule which is aggressively guarded by the female.

Details Description
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Arachnid - Spider
Former Scientific Name
Heteropoda diana
Identifying Characteristics

Body flattened, fawn to orange or pinkish brown, 16-20 mm in length. Males and females are similar although males are slightly smaller.
Distinctive Markings

The first two pairs of legs are much longer than the hind pairs. A dark triangular patch (hence the name 'badge') is found on the underside of the abdomen.
Diet

Carnivore.
Habitat

Hunts for prey on trunks of trees and in foliage. Hides under bark during the day.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Bites/Sting
No serious symptoms recorded from the bite of this species.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Sparassidae
Genus
Neosparassus
Species
diana
Badge Huntsman
Mainly found in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, but occurs across Australia.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.