Seychelles Palm Spider vs Short-winged Mold Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seychelles Palm Spider Short-winged Mold Beetle
Scientific Name Nephila inaurata Pselaphus heisei
Order Araneae Coleoptera
Family Nephilidae Staphylinidae
Size 30-40 mm body; 120 mm leg span 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Seychelles, Indian Ocean Islands Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Seychelles Palm Spider

A large golden orb-weaver spider found in the Seychelles with strong yellow silk. Females can have a leg span exceeding 12 cm.

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Did You Know?

Its golden silk is so strong that local people have used it to make fishing lures.

Short-winged Mold Beetle

A tiny rove beetle with clubbed antennae that feeds on mites in leaf litter and soil. Its short wing cases and ant-like body make it distinctive.

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Did You Know?

It possesses specialized antennal clubs covered in sensory pits used for detecting prey in total darkness.