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Phonognatha vicitra [1], referred to as the Leaf Curling Spider is an Indian Spider found in woodlands and among shrubs. Phonognatha vicitra is one of the only 7 species of the Genus Phonognatha. It is a small member of the Araneidae family; the orb-weavers. it was previously placed in 'Tetragnathidae' also known as Long-jawed orb weaver.

The spider is distinguished by having a curled leaf at the center of its web, in which it shelters. Other species of the same genera form pairs living together in the same leaf. The curled leaf also shelters eggs.

This species is very rare and not studied extensively in India. With only one known Phonognath species outside Australia/Oceania, the Phonognatha vicitra was discovered by one W. R. Sherriffs back in 1928.

Vicitra is a quaint English spelling of the Sanskrit word vichitra, which is also found in several other Indian languages.  'Vichitra'  is an adjective with a range of meanings: from a non-judgemental 'exotic' to a pejorative 'weird'.

Appearance
The body length varies from 5 to 10 mm. Only the female is known. Their bodies are fat and oval shaped with long tapered legs.

Web
The web, with its shelter at the center is easily identifiable. The leaf curling spider cleverly weaves a leaf or another object into the center of its web as a hide-away from predators. Leaves are twisted along the length to form a funnel. It is an incomplete circle, being open at the top and fanning downwards. The spider uses supporting threads attached to a shrub to suspend its curled-up dry leaf, with the fan-like main web radiating out from the leaf in which the spider hides, with only the tips of its legs visible, feeling for the vibrations of insects colliding with the web. It only leaves its shelter if the prey is stuck in the web, or if the web needs repair. Like other orb weavers, the spider usually rebuilds its web at night.

Distribution
Only a few observation in India are known to exist since W.R. sherriffs in 1928. The spider is commonly found in open woodland and forest habitats. This species is endemic to India.

Behavior
Its fangs are small and the spider is timid. Toxicity to humans in unknown. The leaf curling spiders are day-active orb weavers, protecting themselves from predators by hiding inside the shelter. Such leaves may already be partly curled though many are not, and the spider pulls and silks its leaf into a retreat cylinder, silken shut at the top and open at the hub.

Other species
Seven species under genus Phonognatha have been known to exist. Following is the list of them.