This is the very first time I have found a leaf-curling spider in my garden, which was really exciting. I am used to seeing their very unique webs when out walking in the bush. Interestingly though, their distribution is classified as being on the east coast of Australia.
The leaf-curling spider is an orb weaving spider, they place a curled leaf at the centre of their webs to hide from predators. I find them completely fascinating, and I would love to one day stumble across one in the process of curling the leaf. It seems such an monumental feat for a tiny spider, to carry a leaf to the centre of its web, and then curl it into a perfectly safe home. Incredibly impressive!
Males and females often share a web, living at opposite ends of the curled leaf. When the female lays her eggs, she will do so in a separate curled leaf away from the main web, hidden from view.
In the first photograph is you look closely you will see a couple of the spiders legs visible from the bottom entrance of the leaf...
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