Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream.

LISTEN
Watch
on air now

Create a 3AW account today!

You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 3AW content and other benefits.


Joining is free and easy.

You will soon need to register to keep streaming 3AW online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

‘Hawthorn spider’: Ross’s frightening backyard find

Ross and Russel
Article image for ‘Hawthorn spider’: Ross’s frightening backyard find

Ross found this frightening looking spider in his garden yesterday.

He’d never seen anything like it before!

The 3AW Breakfast host dubbed the arachnid the ‘Hawthorn spider’ due to its yellow and brown colouring.

But Senior Curator of Entomology at Museums Victoria, Ken Walker, says it’s the St Andrew’s Cross spider (argiope keyserlingi), which gets its name because its web looks like the St Andrew’s Cross!

Mr Walker explained why Ross has never seen a spider like it at his house before.

“When the spiderlings are very young they tie their legs together and let out a little bit of silk, and the float off in the air,” he said.

“That then disperses them all over the place.”

But Ross has been cautioned not to remove the spider.

“Spiders eat the equivalent of the weight of humans each year. So can you imagine the number of insects that would be around if it wasn’t for spiders?”

 

 

Ross and Russel
Advertisement