Nephilengys malabarensis is an nephilid spider. Females reach a body length of about 15 mm. The legs and palp are annulated yellow and black. Male body size less than 5 mm, with mostly grey-black legs. N. malabarensis is being preyed upon by the spider-eating jumping spider Portia.

Name

The species name malabarensis refers to the Malabar coast of southern India, where it was first found.

Distribution

N. malabarensis occurs in South, South-East and East Asia from India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines, north to Yunnan, China, north-east to Saga and Kompira, Japan and east to Ambon Island of Indonesia. It is common at human dwellings and less common in rainforest. The Niah population inhabits cave entrances.