A dorsal view of a female Nephila pilipes, a species of golden silk orb-weaver spider found in East and Southeast Asia as well as Australia. Commonly found in primary and secondary forests, as well as gardens, this species spins an asymmetrical golden web that is vertical with a fine irregular mesh, with the hub usually nearer the top. Considerable sexual dimorphism is demonstrated in the size of specimens, with females averaging a body size of 30–50 millimetres (1.2–2.0 in) and males growing to 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in).Photograph: Chris Woodrich