Buggin with Bridgey

Buggin with Bridgey is a Monthly report of sightings from the Let’s Go Buggin Cairns Nature & Photography Tour in the Cairns Botanic Gardens.  As the months roll by, subtle changes in the seasons bring sightings of new creatures and this report aims to give people a wrap up of the current animals seen as well as provide an ongoing citizen science account of our wonderful critters that can be seen in the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Australian Lichen Huntsman Spider (Pandercetes gracilis)

Definitely great masters of disguise. The Australian Lichen Huntsman Spider flattens itself against tree bark or lichen-covered logs during the day and becomes virtually invisible. At night, this spider is more easily seen due to ‘eye-shine’.  Their long leg hairs break up the outline of the lichen-coloured body that blends seamlessly with its habitat. Measuring about 25 mm, it’s an ambush predator that relies on stillness and speed to catch small insects. Even under the spotlight, it can be hard to spot — but when we do find one, it’s always a thrill to watch this cryptic hunter in action.

Australian Lichen Hunstman Spiders (Pandercetes gracilis)

Green Tree Ant-mimic Spider (Amyciaea albomaculata)

If you think you’re seeing a green ant… look again! This clever mimic has evolved to imitate the look and behaviour of Oecophylla ants, even raising its front legs to mimic antennae.  This is one of my favourite of the mimics (BTW have you read my Blog on Mimicry?   Check it out here).   The Green Tree Ant-mimic Spider has a green sheen across its carapace and abdomen, with black and white markings on its legs. Measuring around 7–10 mm, it’s a small spider that doesn’t build a web. Instead, it uses its disguise to avoid predators and sneak up on their Green Tree Ant prey — leaping into action when the moment is right.

Green Tree Ant-mimic Spider (Amyciaea albomaculata), below with Green Ant prey.

Mirrorball Spider / Black-spotted Thwaitesia (Thwaitesia nigronodosa)

Also known as the Mirrorball Spider, this tiny arachnid lives up to its dazzling nickname.  It’s head and abdomen reaching just 5-6 mm long, it features brilliant silver patches on its abdomen that reflect torchlight like tiny mirrors — a trick of layered guanine crystals that shimmer as it moves. These sparkling scales help confuse predators by breaking up the spider’s silhouette. It builds delicate orb-webs to catch minute flying insects and typically hangs beneath leaves or along web strands, patiently waiting to snare its next meal. A glimmering rainforest gem among the Nocturnal Animals in the Cairns Botanic Gardens, often missed unless you’re really looking.

Mirrorball Spider / Black-spotted Thwaitesia (Thwaitesia nigronodosa)

Fireback Huntsman (Beregama cordata)

Large, fast, and beautifully coloured, the Fireback Huntsman is an absolute showstopper. With a golden-orange body and distinct reddish “fireback” pattern, this is a species that impresses all that see them.  These spiders can reach around 10cm with their legs out-stretched and prefer to rest under bark or on tree trunks. Despite their size, they’re shy and non-aggressive — hunting mostly cockroaches and other insects at night. Their graceful movements and vivid hues make them a crowd-pleaser on our tours.  On one particular section of our regular Night Walk paths, we have had generational sightings of this species and I have affectionately called the ‘Fiona the Fireback’.  This year we are up to Fiona IIII the Fireback.   She has been carefully guarding her nest and we are eagerly waiting babies to emerge.

Fiona IIII the Fireback Huntsman (Beregama cordata) guarding her eggs inside the folded leaf.

Brush Tarantula  (Coremiocnemis tropix)

Often the most talked-about spider on our night walks, this North Queensland Tarantula belongs to the Genus Coremiocnemis and is one of Australia’s largest burrowing spiders.  This Social Brush Tarantula is moderately sized, only reaching about 8cm across, with thick legs, velvety hairs, and formidable fangs that are more bark than bite. These tarantulas are rarely seen above ground, preferring to stay hidden in silk-lined burrows during the day. On humid nights, they may emerge to hunt insects. Despite their fearsome appearance, they’re surprisingly shy and slow-moving — a thrilling, respectful encounter when spotted under the spotlight.

Brush Tarantula (Coremiocnemis tropix)

Duskhawker Dragonflies (Gynacantha)

These large dragonflies are built for low-light hunting. The Slender Duskhawker is most active during twilight and early night hours, zipping silently through the air in search of mosquitoes and moths. With a wingspan up to 100 mm and a slender grey body, it’s a fast, agile flyer. Its eyes reflect in torchlight, creating a glint that helps us spot it mid-flight. You’ll often see it hovering along trails or darting through clearings, its flight path smooth and ghostlike as it hunts right in front of us before vanishing into the dark again.

Slender Duskhawker (Gynacantha kirbyi))

Cyclone Larry Stick Insect (Sipyloidea larryi)

Ok let’s set the record straight! There is a rumour…a myth…circulating within certain circles that this Phasmid was ‘blown in’ to Cairns by Cyclone Larry in 2006.  This is NOT TRUE!   After confirming with one of the naming Entomologists, Paul Brock, he confirmed to me that this species was seen in the area long before Cyclone Larry.   So let’s stop spreading this myth and accept that this Stick Insect was named after the devastating event of the cyclone and nothing more.  Now that I have that off my chest… the Cyclone Larry Stick Insect is long, slender, and olive to pale green — resembling twigs so closely that many walkers pass them without a second glance. Measuring up to 12 cm, they sway gently to mimic branches in the breeze. Being a Nocturnal animal, they are more active at night, feeding on leaves.  We can see many of these on any given Let’s Go Buggin Night Walk in the Cairns Botanic Gardens.

Cyclone Larry Stick Insect (Sipyloidea larryi)