Ideocaira transversa

Ideocaira transversa is a species of spider in the family Araneidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the triangle orb-web spider.

Distribution

Ideocaira transversa is found in the South African provinces Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape. Notable locations include Addo Elephant National Park, Ndumo Game Reserve, and De Hoop [Nature Reserve].

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Savanna and Thicket at altitudes ranging from 16 to 1,732 m above sea level.
Ideocaira transversa is an orb-web spider that constructs webs during its hunting activities.

Description

Conservation

Ideocaira transversa is listed as Least Concern by the South [African National Biodiversity Institute] due to its wide range across four provinces. The species is protected in eight protected areas including Addo Elephant National Park, Ndumo Game Reserve, Phinda Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, uMkhuze Game Reserve, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Polokwane Nature Reserve, and De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Eugène Simon in 1903 from Natal. The species is known only from females, with no male specimens having been described.