Neil Tucker, Peter Forster and Scott Hives from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) were inspecting progress of the Angair plantings at Fairylands beside the Anglesea River last month when they came across a curious creature that looked like a cross between a spider and a scorpion.
Scorpion-tailed Spider
Neil identified it as a Scorpion-tailed Spider, Arachnura higginsii. Although this species is relatively common throughout southern Australia, it has only been recorded five times on the Surf Coast. The Arachnura genus comprises orb-weaving spiders.
Scorpion-tailed Spider
The Scorpion-tailed Spiders are remarkable because the male and female differ considerably. The male body is only 2 mm while the female is a lengthy 16 mm. Only the female has a tail which grows longer at each moult. The tail has no sting at the end but is thought to be waved at predators as a deterrent.
Sally White
Images: Neil Tucker