Tiny ‘goblin’ creatures fall from forest canopy in China. They’re a new species
In southern China, between the borders of Myanmar and Laos, sits one of the country’s most diverse ecosystems.
The Xishuangbanna forest — part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and a global conservation priority — is a tropical seasonal forest teeming with species, some found nowhere else in the world, and many yet to be discovered.
Among the newest creatures found hiding in the trees of the Xishuangbanna are eight tiny “goblin” spiders species from the Orchestina genus, according to a study published Aug. 25 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
Using a method called “fogging,” researchers released a carefully metered pesticide into the forest canopy to see what rained down.
All previous goblin spider species discovered in the Xishuangbanna have had a “distinctive net-shaped pattern” on their backs, according to researchers.
Many of the new species, however, did not have this trait, researchers said.
All the spiders were described as being yellow or “yellowish” in color. The most obvious differences between the species are the shapes, sizes and markings of their reproductive organs, according to the study.
At their largest, Orchestina goblin spiders are about one-tenth of an inch long — smaller than a grain of rice.
While most spider species have eight eyes to compensate for the fact that they don’t have necks and therefore cannot turn their heads to see, goblin spiders are known to have only six.
These “funny-looking” spiders reminded early researchers of goblins, which earned them their nickname, according to experts. e
Researchers said 24 Orchestina species have been reported in China.
The research team included Chenxue Song, Dongju Bian, Yanfeng Tong and Shuqiang Li.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Tiny ‘goblin’ creatures fall from forest canopy in China. They’re a new species."
