| Nephilengys cruentata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Nephilidae |
| Genus: | Nephilengys |
| Species: | N. cruentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Nephilengys cruentata (Fabricius, 1775) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Aranea cruentata |
|
Nephilengys cruentata is a nephilid spider with a strikingly red sternum.
Females reach a length of about 24 mm. The legs can be uniformly dark red or brown, or annulated. Males are about 4 mm long [1].
N. cruentata is found in tropical and subtropical Africa and several limited areas of South America (Brazil, northern Colombia and Paraguay), where it has probably been introduced by humans in the late 19th century at the latest [1].
The species name cruentata is derived from Latin cruentus "bloody", probably referring to the female red sternum [1].