Feather-Legged Lace Weaver (Uloborus plumipes) Care Sheet
The Feather-Legged Lace Weaver (Uloborus plumipes) is a small, delicate orb-weaving spider occasionally maintained by invertebrate enthusiasts and particularly well suited to keepers interested in web construction, feeding behaviour and unusual spider biology.
Unlike almost all familiar spiders, Uloborus plumipes belongs to the family Uloboridae, a remarkable group that lacks functional venom glands. Instead of relying on venom to immobilise prey, the spider uses exceptionally fine cribellate silk and extensive wrapping to restrain captured insects.
The species gets its common name from the conspicuous tufts of long hairs on the front legs, which give them a feathered appearance.
U. plumipes constructs a horizontal or angled orb web and normally spends much of its time suspended within or near the centre. Its unusual resting posture and cryptic colouration can make the spider resemble a small piece of dried vegetation.
Although tiny compared with tarantulas and many other captive arachnids, it is a fascinating display animal.
Successful husbandry requires a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with substantial open web-building space, numerous silk anchor points, appropriate temperatures, careful hydration and a regular supply of small flying insects.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Uloborus plumipes
Common names: Feather-Legged Lace Weaver, Feather-Legged Spider
Order: Araneae
Family: Uloboridae
Lifestyle: Orb-web dwelling
Activity: Primarily web based
Diet: Carnivorous/insectivorous
Adult female body length: Approximately 4–6 mm
Adult male body length: Approximately 3–4 mm
Temperature: Approximately 20–26°C
Humidity: Moderate with excellent ventilation
Housing: Individual housing is simplest
Handling: Not recommended
Venom: Lacks functional venom glands
Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Major requirements: Web-building space, fine ventilation, small flying prey and careful hydration
Why This Spider Is Unusual
Most spiders immobilise prey partly through:
venom.
Uloborus plumipes does things differently.
Members of the family Uloboridae lack functional venom glands and rely heavily upon:
- Specialised silk
- Rapid wrapping
- Physical restraint
- External digestion
This makes them one of the most unusual groups of spiders available to observe in captivity.
Cribellate Silk
The silk used by U. plumipes is:
cribellate silk.
It consists of extraordinarily fine fibres produced using a specialised silk-spinning structure called the:
cribellum.
Calamistrum
The spider also possesses specialised hairs called the:
calamistrum.
These help manipulate the extremely fine cribellate fibres during web construction.
How the Silk Works
Rather than depending primarily upon sticky glue droplets, cribellate silk entangles prey through an enormous quantity of extremely fine fibres.
Small insects become caught within this silk and struggle to escape.
Natural Distribution
Uloborus plumipes is associated with warm regions but has become established well beyond parts of its original distribution.
It is now encountered in numerous areas through:
human-assisted movement and protected indoor environments.
Greenhouses
The species is particularly famous for occurring in:
greenhouses.
Warm, protected structures provide:
- Stable temperatures
- Numerous flying insects
- Web anchor points
- Protection from severe weather
Natural and Artificial Habitats
The species may be encountered in:
- Greenhouses
- Conservatories
- Warm buildings
- Vegetation
- Sheltered outdoor areas in suitable climates
Appearance
Uloborus plumipes is a slender, cryptically coloured spider.
Typical colours include:
- Brown
- Grey
- Cream
- Mottled combinations
The pattern helps the spider blend into vegetation and dried plant material.
Feathered Legs
The most distinctive feature is the presence of prominent:
hair tufts on the front legs.
These create the “feather-legged” appearance responsible for the common name.
Body Shape
The abdomen is elongated rather than spherical.
Combined with the spider’s resting posture, this can make it resemble:
a fragment of twig or dry vegetation.
Size
Adult females generally reach approximately:
4–6 mm in body length.
Males are usually smaller and more slender.
Small Species
Do not underestimate enclosure security simply because the spider is tiny.
Small spiders can exploit:
extremely small ventilation gaps.
Behaviour
The Feather-Legged Lace Weaver is fundamentally:
web dwelling.
Once established, the spider may spend most of its life associated with the same web system.
Orb Web
The species constructs an:
orb-style web.
This immediately distinguishes its captive behaviour from:
- Jumping spiders
- Huntsman spiders
- Recluse spiders
- Velvet spiders
- Tarantulas
Web Orientation
Webs may be:
- Horizontal
- Angled
- Slightly irregular
depending upon available anchor points and enclosure design.
Resting Position
The spider often rests:
within or close to the central area of its web.
Its elongated posture helps disguise its outline.
Web Construction
Watching a spider construct its web can be one of the most rewarding aspects of keeping the species.
The animal carefully lays:
- Structural threads
- Radiating lines
- Capture silk
to create a functional prey-catching structure.
Web Damage
A damaged web does not automatically mean the spider requires intervention.
Orb-weaving spiders routinely:
repair and rebuild web sections.
Housing
The enclosure should be designed around:
the web rather than the spider’s body size.
This is extremely important.
Enclosure Size
Although the spider itself is tiny, provide approximately:
15 × 15 × 20 cm
for an adult where practical.
A similarly proportioned enclosure can also work.
Why So Much Space?
The spider needs enough room to construct a functional orb web.
A container only slightly larger than the animal may prevent normal behaviour.
Orientation
A moderately tall enclosure works well because it allows multiple potential web-building planes.
Secure Enclosure
The enclosure must be:
escape resistant.
Check:
- Door edges
- Lid gaps
- Ventilation holes
- Cable openings
carefully.
Ventilation
Excellent ventilation is essential.
Provide:
fine cross ventilation.
Fine Mesh
If mesh is used, ensure openings are sufficiently small to contain:
- Adult males
- Juveniles
- Spiderlings
Avoid Stagnant Conditions
A sealed humid container is inappropriate.
Persistent condensation can:
- Damage webbing
- Encourage mould
- Create poor air quality
Web Anchor Points
Provide numerous structures to which the spider can attach silk.
Suitable options include:
- Fine dry twigs
- Artificial foliage
- Pesticide-free plants
- Thin cork pieces
- Secure mesh sections
Twig Arrangement
Several thin branches positioned at different angles provide excellent:
web anchor points.
Open Space
Do not fill the entire enclosure with decorations.
The spider requires:
open space between anchor points
in which to construct its web.
Live Plants
Small live plants can work well if:
- They are pesticide free
- They do not create excessive humidity
- They provide useful anchor points
Pesticide Risk
Commercial ornamental plants may have been treated with:
- Insecticides
- Systemic pesticides
- Other chemicals
Do not introduce an unknown treated plant into a spider enclosure.
Substrate
The spider spends little time on the substrate.
Suitable options include:
- Coco fibre
- Organic topsoil
- Suitable soil mixtures
- Paper towel for simple setups
Substrate Depth
Approximately:
1–3 cm
is sufficient.
Deep substrate is unnecessary.
Temperature
A useful captive range is approximately:
20–26°C.
Normal indoor temperatures are often suitable.
Cooler Temperatures
Slightly cooler periods are generally less concerning than extreme heat.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
Excessive Heat
Avoid sustained temperatures around or above:
30°C.
Small spider enclosures can overheat rapidly.
Direct Sunlight
Never place the enclosure in direct sunlight.
This is particularly important with small transparent enclosures.
Heating
Dedicated heating is usually unnecessary in a normally heated home.
If supplemental heating is genuinely required, it should be:
gentle and thermostatically controlled.
Humidity
Maintain:
moderate humidity with excellent ventilation.
Do not chase a precise humidity percentage at the expense of airflow.
Hydration
The spider can drink:
tiny droplets of water.
Light Misting
Lightly mist:
- One enclosure wall
- A small section of foliage
rather than soaking the entire enclosure.
Avoid the Web
Whenever possible, avoid directly saturating the main orb web.
Heavy water droplets can damage delicate silk.
Avoid Spraying the Spider
Never blast the spider directly with a spray bottle.
Use:
very fine droplets.
Drying Cycle
Allow the enclosure to dry appropriately between hydration cycles.
Constantly wet surfaces are unnecessary.
Water Dish
A conventional water dish is generally impractical for such a tiny web-dwelling spider.
Controlled droplets are more useful.
Feeding
Uloborus plumipes feeds upon:
small insects captured in its web.
Best Prey
Flying prey is particularly suitable.
Good options include:
- Flightless fruit flies
- Small houseflies
- Small bottle flies
- Fungus-gnat-sized cultured prey
- Other appropriately sized captive-bred flying insects
Fruit Flies
Flightless Drosophila cultures are especially useful for:
- Juveniles
- Small adults
- Spiderlings
Prey Size
Use prey appropriate to the spider’s size.
A tiny orb-weaver does not require:
large crickets or cockroaches.
Feeding Frequency
Offer several appropriately sized small prey items approximately:
1–2 times per week.
Adjust according to:
- Spider size
- Abdomen condition
- Prey size
- Temperature
- Reproductive condition
Feeding Through the Web
Introduce prey carefully so that it contacts:
the capture web.
This allows the spider to respond naturally.
Prey Detection
Once an insect becomes entangled, vibrations travel through the web.
The spider rapidly detects these vibrations.
Prey Wrapping
Because Uloborus does not rely upon venom, prey wrapping is especially important.
The spider uses silk extensively to:
immobilise the insect.
Silk Wrapping
The prey may become wrapped in a substantial amount of fine silk before feeding begins.
This is normal.
Feeding Without Venom
Once restrained, the spider can begin external digestion and consume liquefied tissues.
The absence of functional venom glands does not prevent it from being:
an efficient predator of small insects.
Uneaten Prey
Avoid allowing large numbers of flies to accumulate in the enclosure.
Excess prey can:
- Disturb the spider
- Damage the web
- Create waste
Wild-Caught Prey
Avoid wild-caught insects.
They may carry:
- Pesticides
- Parasites
- Environmental contaminants
Cultured feeders are safer.
Moulting
Juveniles grow through repeated:
moults.
Pre-Moult
A spider approaching a moult may:
- Reduce feeding
- Become less responsive to prey
- Remain in one location
During Moulting
Do not:
- Handle
- Disturb the web
- Introduce excessive prey
- Spray the spider directly
Web Support During Moulting
Web structure provides the spider with support during vulnerable periods.
Avoid destroying established silk unnecessarily.
Freshly Moulted Spider
Following a moult, the new exoskeleton is:
soft and vulnerable.
Feeding After Moulting
Allow the spider to harden and resume normal web behaviour before feeding heavily.
Exuvia
The discarded exoskeleton may remain:
suspended within the web.
It can be removed later if accessible without destroying important silk.
Handling
Handling is:
not recommended.
Why Not Handle?
The spider is:
- Tiny
- Delicate
- Easily lost
- Vulnerable to crushing
- Adapted to living on silk rather than human hands
There is no husbandry benefit to handling it.
Venom
One of the most remarkable characteristics of Uloboridae is that they:
lack functional venom glands.
Does That Mean It Is a Handling Spider?
No.
Lack of functional venom does not make handling useful.
The main risks during handling are to:
the spider itself.
Individual Housing
Individual housing is the simplest and safest approach.
Multiple Individuals
In suitable large environments, Uloborus may sometimes establish webs relatively close to other individuals.
This does not mean a small captive enclosure should automatically be treated as:
communal housing.
Why Individual Housing Is Easier
Individual housing makes it easier to:
- Monitor feeding
- Monitor moulting
- Identify egg sacs
- Prevent competition
- Track individual health
Sexing
Mature males and females can be distinguished by:
- Body proportions
- Pedipalps
- Adult size
Adult Female
Females are generally:
- Larger
- Fuller bodied
- More sedentary within established webs
Adult Male
Mature males are typically:
- Smaller
- More slender
- More mobile
and possess enlarged reproductive pedipalps.
Mature Male Behaviour
A mature male may abandon or reduce investment in a permanent capture web while searching for females.
Breeding
Breeding can be attempted by keepers experienced with:
small web-building spiders.
Female Condition
The female should be:
- Mature
- Healthy
- Well established
- Appropriately fed
before pairing.
Male Introduction
Introduce the male carefully to:
the outer portion of the female’s web system.
Courtship
Communication occurs largely through:
web vibrations and movement.
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is possible during breeding interactions.
Pairing should therefore be:
observed carefully.
Egg Sacs
A successfully mated female can produce:
silken egg sacs.
Egg-Sac Position
Egg sacs may be suspended within or near:
the established web structure.
Female With Eggs
Avoid unnecessary disturbance.
Destroying the surrounding web can compromise the female’s normal behaviour.
Multiple Egg Sacs
A female may potentially produce more than one egg sac.
Breeders should prepare for offspring:
before pairing adults.
Spiderlings
Spiderlings are:
extremely small.
Their tiny size is one of the greatest challenges of captive breeding.
Spiderling Housing
Young spiders require:
- Extremely fine ventilation
- Tiny web anchor points
- Appropriate moisture
- Very small prey
- Secure containers
Spiderling Prey
Suitable early prey can include:
very small fruit flies
and other tiny cultured insects.
Escape Risk
Spiderlings can pass through openings that appear microscopic compared with an adult enclosure.
Check all juvenile containers carefully.
Spiderling Webs
Even very young spiders begin producing silk and establishing:
small capture webs.
Separating Young
Individual rearing provides the greatest control over:
- Feeding
- Growth
- Cannibalism
- Monitoring
where practical.
Cleaning
A web-building spider enclosure should not be cleaned like an empty glass terrarium.
The web is:
part of the animal’s habitat.
Spot Cleaning
Remove accessible:
- Dead prey
- Excess waste
- Mould
without destroying the main web.
Preserve the Web
Do not remove silk simply because it looks untidy.
A functional established web is more important than a perfectly clean-looking enclosure.
Web Replacement
The spider will naturally:
- Repair
- Expand
- Replace
parts of its web over time.
Full Cleaning
Complete enclosure cleaning should only occur when genuinely necessary.
A full clean destroys the animal’s entire established hunting structure.
Rehousing
If rehousing becomes necessary, move the spider using:
- A small catch cup
- Soft guiding tool
- Controlled enclosed work area
Tiny Spider Warning
Never attempt to pick up the spider between fingers.
Its tiny body can be injured extremely easily.
Household Chemicals
Avoid exposing the enclosure to:
- Fly spray
- Ant killer
- Flea treatments
- Cockroach treatments
- Garden pesticides
Aerosols
Avoid nearby use of:
- Perfume
- Air freshener
- Cleaning aerosols
- Deodorising sprays
Pesticide Sensitivity
This is particularly important because the species naturally preys upon:
small insects.
Even contaminated feeder insects may present a risk.
Health
Potential husbandry problems include:
- Dehydration
- Excessive moisture
- Poor ventilation
- Lack of suitable web space
- Inadequate prey
- Overheating
- Failed moults
- Chemical exposure
Web Failure
If a spider repeatedly fails to establish a functional web, check:
- Enclosure dimensions
- Anchor-point placement
- Airflow
- Disturbance
- General health
Collapsed Web
A damaged web is not necessarily an emergency.
Provide suitable anchor points and allow the spider time to:
rebuild naturally.
Common Husbandry Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- Choosing an enclosure based only on the spider’s tiny body size
- Providing insufficient web-building space
- Providing no anchor points
- Filling the enclosure so densely that an orb cannot be constructed
- Using ventilation gaps large enough for escape
- Keeping the enclosure permanently wet
- Providing poor ventilation
- Spraying the spider directly
- Saturating the web
- Offering prey that is too large
- Using wild-caught insects
- Repeatedly destroying established webbing
- Handling unnecessarily
- Breeding without preparing for extremely small spiderlings
Is the Feather-Legged Lace Weaver Suitable for Beginners?
For a keeper comfortable working with very small invertebrates:
yes, potentially.
The species is best considered:
beginner to intermediate.
What Makes It Easy?
Advantages include:
- Modest space requirements
- No medically significant venom concern
- Straightforward feeding
- Comfortable household temperatures
- Fascinating visible behaviour
What Makes It Challenging?
The main difficulties are:
- Tiny size
- Escape prevention
- Delicate web structure
- Requirement for small prey
- Extremely small offspring
Captive Availability
Uloborus plumipes is considerably less common in the mainstream pet trade than:
- Tarantulas
- Jumping spiders
- Velvet spiders
However, it is occasionally maintained by hobbyists interested in:
true spiders and unusual web-building species.
Availability can therefore be sporadic.
Captive-Bred Stock
Captive-bred animals should be preferred whenever genuinely available.
This provides better knowledge of:
- Origin
- Age
- Previous husbandry
and avoids unnecessary wild collection.
Accidental Captive Populations
Because U. plumipes can establish populations inside warm structures such as greenhouses, keepers should distinguish between:
purposefully captive-bred stock and opportunistically collected animals.
Educational Value
Few captive spiders demonstrate such an interesting combination of:
- Orb-web construction
- Cribellate silk
- Lack of functional venom glands
- Extensive prey wrapping
- Cryptic morphology
Display Value
Although small, the species can make an excellent:
micro-display animal.
A well-designed enclosure allows keepers to observe:
- Web construction
- Web repair
- Prey detection
- Silk wrapping
- Feeding
- Moulting
- Egg-sac production
Photography
The species is particularly interesting for macro photography.
Avoid disturbing or damaging the web simply to obtain a photograph.
Responsible Sourcing
When purchasing or obtaining Uloborus plumipes, ask:
- Is the identification reliable?
- Is it captive bred?
- What stage is it?
- What prey is it currently taking?
- When did it last moult?
- Has the female been paired?
Legal Considerations
Regulations concerning invertebrate possession and transport vary between jurisdictions.
Always check applicable rules before:
- Importing
- Exporting
- Transporting
- Selling
live spiders.
Never Release Captive Animals
Never release captive:
- Adults
- Juveniles
- Spiderlings
- Egg sacs
into the environment.
This is particularly important because the species has already demonstrated an ability to establish populations outside parts of its original range.
Responsible Ownership
Before obtaining Uloborus plumipes, ensure you can provide:
- A secure enclosure
- Fine ventilation
- Adequate web-building space
- Numerous anchor points
- Appropriate temperatures
- Controlled hydration
- Cultures of suitably small feeder insects
- Minimal disturbance
Summary
The Feather-Legged Lace Weaver (Uloborus plumipes) is a tiny but exceptionally interesting orb-weaving spider occasionally maintained within the specialist invertebrate hobby.
Its most remarkable characteristic is its membership of the family Uloboridae, whose spiders lack functional venom glands.
Instead, U. plumipes uses specialised cribellate silk and extensive wrapping to immobilise prey.
Adult females are only approximately 4–6 mm in body length, but the enclosure must be substantially larger than the spider itself because adequate space is required for orb-web construction.
An enclosure around 15 × 15 × 20 cm provides a useful starting point when furnished with thin branches and other carefully positioned silk anchor points.
Provide excellent fine ventilation and maintain approximately 20–26°C under typical captive conditions.
Hydration can be supplied using occasional very fine droplets on an enclosure wall or foliage. Avoid soaking the main web or keeping the enclosure permanently wet.
Small captive-bred flying insects are ideal prey. Flightless fruit flies are particularly useful for juveniles and smaller specimens.
Feed approximately one to two times per week, adjusting according to body condition and prey size.
Established webbing should be preserved whenever possible because the web is the spider’s primary hunting and living structure.
Handling is unnecessary. Although the spider lacks functional venom glands, its extremely delicate body means physical interaction creates considerably more risk for the spider than benefit for the keeper.
Breeding is possible, but the extremely small spiderlings require very fine escape-proof housing, tiny web anchor points and appropriately small feeder cultures.
For keepers interested in natural spider behaviour rather than large body size, Uloborus plumipes is an unusual and rewarding captive invertebrate.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Uloborus plumipes is a small specialist web-building spider whose enclosure should be designed around its web rather than its body size.
Provide substantial open web-building space and numerous fine anchor points.
Use extremely fine, secure ventilation because adults, males and especially spiderlings can exploit very small gaps.
Maintain excellent airflow and avoid permanently saturated conditions.
Provide hydration through controlled fine droplets without soaking the spider or repeatedly destroying the web.
Feed appropriately sized captive-bred flying insects.
Preserve established webbing whenever possible.
Do not handle the spider unnecessarily. Although Uloboridae lack functional venom glands, U. plumipes is extremely small and delicate.
Breeding can produce exceptionally tiny spiderlings requiring secure micro-enclosures, fine ventilation and cultures of tiny feeder insects.
Prefer captive-bred specimens whenever available.
Check applicable regulations before importing, exporting, transporting or selling live specimens.
Never release captive adults, juveniles, spiderlings or egg sacs into the environment.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026