Mephila clavipes

orb weaver orb" weav`er, orb-weaver orb"-weav`er, n. Any spider of the family {Araneidae} (called also {Argiopidae}) that spins a web with a pattern of lines spiraling outward from the center. They have eight similar eyes. The golden orb weaver, {Mephila clavipes}, is known for the remarkable dragline silk it produces for use as a frame for its web and as a line on which it can plummet down and nab prey. This silk has a high tensile strength and is stronger than the toughest current synthetic polymer (Kevlar). [PJC]