Dinopis

Dinopis is the genus name for the more commonly named Gladiator Spider, Ogre faced spider, or Net casting spider. It is found in eastern Australian forests. It has a relatively long and thin abdomen for a spider, with a small cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax of a spider.) There is little else to be discussed about it apart from it's unorthodox and remarkable hunting technique. First the spider creates a frame between branches of a bush using a dry silk. Holding onto this, a small square net is constructed by it, using a sticky and very elastic silk. This is done in a place where the capture of insects is unlikely. Dinopis then removes it and holds it between the two pairs of forelegs, then hanging down from a silk thread, it hovers a few inches above the ground. When an insect walks by, Dinopis springs, ensnaring the unfortunate insect in the net.