Hackled orb-weavers are spiders whose capture threads bear a distinctive woolly, “hackled” band of fine fibres. They belong mainly to the family Uloboridae, with well-known genera such as Uloborus and Philoponella. Unlike typical orb-weavers that rely on sticky glue droplets, hackled orb-weavers use these fuzzy threads to entangle prey mechanically.
Basic Biology
Scientific scope: Family Uloboridae – hackled orb-weavers (e.g. Uloborus spp.)
Size: Small to medium spiders, usually about 3–10 mm in body length.
Longevity: Commonly around 1 year, with some species overwintering.
Ecology & Web-building
Hackled orb-weavers build delicate orb-shaped or triangular webs in shrubs, along forest edges, near buildings and among branches. They typically sit at the hub or at the margin of the web, waiting for small flying insects to strike the hackled capture threads. The woolly silk quickly tangles legs and wings, allowing the spider to wrap and feed without relying on gluey silk.
Unique Feature: Spiders Without Venom Glands
Members of Uloboridae are unusual because they lack true venom glands. Instead of injecting venom, they subdue prey by wrapping and digestive processes. This makes hackled orb-weavers biologically interesting and generally harmless to humans.
Venom & Human Relevance
Given the absence of typical venom glands and their small size, hackled orb-weavers are not considered dangerous to people. At most, contact may cause minor mechanical irritation if the spider is disturbed, but medically significant bites are not a concern.
Ecological Role
They feed on small flies, midges and other tiny insects, contributing to natural pest control in gardens, farms and woodland margins. Maintaining shrubs and structural diversity, and limiting insecticide use, helps support hackled orb-weavers and other web-building spiders.
References
Framenau, V.W., Baehr, B.C. and Zborowski, P. (2014), A Guide to the Spiders of Australia. New Holland.
Vink, C. J. & Curtis, K. M. (2020). A redescription of Philoponella congregabilis, an Australian hackled orb weaver spider (Uloboridae) now found in Christchurch, New Zealand. Records of the Canterbury Museum 34: 85-94
