Eunuch Spiders

Nephilengys is a genus of tropical spiders of the family Nephilidae, consisting of two currently described species. (The genus was formerly placed in the Araneidae and Tetragnathidae.) The genus Nephilingis has been split off from this genus. Both genera have been called hermit spiders from the habit staying in their retreats during the day; the name eunuch spiders has been used for Nephilengys alone. Males may sever parts of their palpal bulbs after copulation.