Ogre Faced Net Casting Spider - Adult Female
Deinopis aspectans - Ogre Faced Net Casting Spider
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History of Deinopis aspectans (Ogre-Faced / Net-Casting Spider)
Taxonomic Discovery
Deinopis aspectans belongs to the family Deinopidae, a lineage of spiders known for their highly specialized net-casting hunting strategy. The genus Deinopis was formally described in the 19th century, during a period when arachnologists were actively cataloging tropical arthropods from the Americas.
The species name aspectans comes from Latin, meaning “watching” or “observing,” a reference to the spider’s forward-facing posture and unusually large posterior median eyes.
Geographic Context
D. aspectans is native to Central America, Mexico, and parts of the southern United States, particularly in warm, humid forested regions. It is most often encountered at forest edges, understory vegetation, and near human structures that attract flying insects.
Scientific Significance
The species gained particular attention due to:
Extreme eye specialization – among the largest eyes (relative to body size) of any spider
Nocturnal visual acuity – their eyes regenerate light-sensitive membranes nightly, a rare trait in arthropods
Unique predation method – rather than building a static web, D. aspectans spins a small elastic silk net and actively throws it over prey
These traits made Deinopis species important subjects in studies of:
Arthropod vision
Silk biomechanics
Evolution of active hunting strategies in spiders
Cultural & Scientific Interest
While not historically prominent in folklore like some spiders, Deinopis aspectans became widely known in the late 20th and early 21st centuries through:
High-speed photography of net-casting behavior
Educational media and nature documentaries
Increased interest in specialized arachnids within the exotic invertebrate hobby
Their “ogre-faced” appearance—caused by enlarged eyes and elongated cephalothorax—cemented their reputation as one of the most visually striking spiders in the world.
In Captivity
Historically, D. aspectans was rarely kept due to:
Short lifespan
Stress sensitivity
Specialized feeding requirements
Only relatively recently have captive-raised specimens become more common, enabling better observation, ethical study, and limited breeding projects.
Species: Deinopis aspectans
Sex: Female
Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
Background (Captive-Raised Notes)
This individual is captive-raised, meaning she is typically:
Better acclimated to enclosures
Less prone to stress-related decline
More consistent with feeding than wild-caught specimens
Captive-raised Deinopis are preferred for long-term success and ethical breeding efforts.
Enclosure
Type: Tall, arboreal enclosure with excellent ventilation
Minimum Size: ~8” x 8” x 12” (larger preferred)
Furnishings: Thin vertical branches, twigs, or cork for net-casting posture
Substrate: Light coco fiber or leaf litter (humidity buffering only)
Temperature
Ideal: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Stable warmth is more important than high heat
Humidity
Target: 60–80%
Misting: Light misting 1–2× daily
Allow partial dry-out; stagnant air is harmful
Lighting
Low, indirect ambient lighting
No direct or bright lights (strictly nocturnal)
Feeding
Diet: Flying or climbing insects (house flies, small moths, pinhead–small crickets)
Frequency: 2–3 prey items per week
Prey must move within casting range—this species will not hunt from the ground
Water
No dish required
Hydration is obtained from misting droplets
Handling & Behavior
Extremely delicate; do not handle
Nocturnal and sedentary during daylight
Short fasting periods are normal, especially pre-molt
Additional Notes
Typical lifespan is under one year
Best kept as a display and observation species
Not recommended for beginners
This female is ideal for an experienced keeper who already maintains a mature male and intends to run a breeding project.
Introductions should be carefully timed post-molt and conducted under close observation
Cannibalism risk exists, as with all spider pairings
Captive-raised females offer the best chance for successful mating and egg sac viability