Cyrtophora, the tent-web spiders, is a
genus of
orb-weaver spiders first described by
Eugène Simon in 1895.[2] Although they are in the "orb weaver" family, they do not build orb webs. Their tent-like, highly complex non-sticky web is sometimes considered a precursor of the simplified orb web. These webs are aligned horizontally, with a network of supporting threads above them. These spiders often live in colonies. Females have a body length of mostly about 10 millimetres (0.39 in) long. Some members, including Cyrtophora cicatrosa, exhibit the ability to change colour rapidly.[3]
A
kleptoparasitic spider (Argyrodes fissifrons) was found to live in a mutualistic relationships with Cyrtophora species.[4][5] Some of the species are considered
social spiders, building large structures where the territories of the offspring are built along the margin of the mothers web.[6]
Species
As of April 2019[update] it contains fifty-three species:[1]