Araneae: Corinnidae

Nyssus coloripes  

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)
click photo for larger image
© Vik Dunis 2013
Braeside Park, VIC (Dec, 2013)
Common Names
  • Painted Swift Spider
  • Swift Spider
  • Swift Ground Spider
  • Supunna picta

Also known as the Wasp-Mimicking Spider, when I first saw this little fellow out the corner of my eye, dashing about inspecting crevices in the boardwalk, I thought it was a wasp hunting for a spider or grub to lay an egg in.

I was surprised to find on closer inspection that it was a spider itself, and a very quick one at that.

The Painted Swift Spider (they're not called swift for nothing) is also known as the Orange-legged Swift Spider and Ground Swift Spider.

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider

Swift Spider (Nyssus coloripes) (Nyssus coloripes)

Painted Swift Spider