A male Philoponella congregabilis. Photo: Canterbury MuseumA bug-crushing Australian spider has established itself in parts of Christchurch. The spider, Philoponella congregabilis, does not produce venom to kill its prey, but instead it is wrapped so tightly in the spider's silk that its exoskeleton is crushed. A female Philoponella congregabilis. Philoponella congregabilis build untidy-looking horizontal or sloping orbwebs.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 18, 2021 20:11 UTC