Poecilotheria

This genus is native to India and Sri Lanka. It was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1885. Commonly known as ornamental tarantulas, known for their vivid colour patterns, fast movement, and potent venom compared to other tarantulas. As of 2019 all species are protected under CITES.

India

  • Poecilotheria formosa — Salem ornamental
  • Poecilotheria metallica — Gooty sapphire ornamental
  • Poecilotheria miranda — Bengal spotted ornamental
  • Poecilotheria regalis — Indian Ornamental
  • Poecilotheria rufilata — red slate ornamental
  • Poecilotheria striata — Mysore ornamental, Pedersen’s ghost ornamental
  • Poecilotheria tigrinawesseli — Wessel’s tiger ornamental

Sri Lanka

  • Poecilotheria fasciata (Latreille, 1804) — Sri Lankan ornamental
  • Poecilotheria ornata Pocock, 1899 — fringed ornamental
  • Poecilotheria rajaei Nanayakkara, et al., 2012 — Mankulam pink banded ornamental
  • Poecilotheria smithi Kirk, 1996 — yellow backed ornamental
  • Poecilotheria subfusca Pocock, 1895 — ivory ornamental
  • Poecilotheria srilankensis Nanayakkara, et al., 2020

Both countries

  • Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica — Rameshwaram ornamental
  • Poecilotheria vittata — Magam ornamental