''Arbanitis robertsi'' is a species of tube-dwelling spider in the family Idiopidae found in and near

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s in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. A mid to large sized spider which builds a tube of web that extends from the burrow. The tube is attached to rocks, tree ferns or the base of trees. Thousands of these tubes were recorded by Sid Jackson in November 1922 at the south eastern end of Wallis Lake. "Up to three feet long, and half an inch wide". Situated on damp ground, close to freshwater streams.Australian Spiders in Colour - Ramon Mascord. 1970 SBN 589 07065 7, page 12

Description

Body length of the female is 27mm, male 17 mm. The male a darker brown colour and with longer legs than the female. The burrow is usually straight, or slightly inclined with no brood shaft. The burrow usually extends around 30 cm underground. The tube above ground is usually seen around 15 to 20 cm above ground level. The tube is loosely connected to the burrow at ground level, and pulling the tube breaks it above ground and leaves the spider safe underground. Tube spiders may live in colonies, where tubes are attached to each other, resembling

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. The tubes are camoflauged with particles of earth, moss and lichen. The vibration of crawling insects on the tube is said to alert the spider to potential prey. Prey is caught at the opening of the tube, including moths, beetles and other crawling insects.Australian Spiders in Colour - Ramon Mascord. 1970 SBN 589 07065 7, page 12

Egg sac

The egg sac is 24 mm x 15 mm, rectangular in shape, constructed of white silk, secured within the burrow by the female. Eggs around 50 in number, a golden yellow colour, non glutinous.Australian Spiders in Colour - Ramon Mascord. 1970 SBN 589 07065 7, page 12

Taxonomy

''A. robertsi'' was first described as ''Dyarcyops robertsi'' by Barbara York Main & Ramon Mascord in 1974, and was transferred to the genus,''

Misgolas ''Arbanitis'' is a genus of Australian armored trapdoor spiders that was first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1874. Species it contains sixty-one species: *'' A. andrewsi'' ( Hogg, 1902) – Australia (South Australia) *'' A. bae ...

'' in 1992 by Graham Wishart'','' and then to the genus'',

Arbanitis ''Arbanitis'' is a genus of Australian armored trapdoor spiders that was first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1874. Species it contains sixty-one species: *'' A. andrewsi'' ( Hogg, 1902) – Australia (South Australia) *'' A. baehr ...

,'' in 2017 by

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and others.''''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q108865400, from2=Q2542802 robertsi Spiders described in 1974 Spiders of Australia Arthropods of New South Wales Arthropods of Queensland Taxa named by Barbara York Main