Notes on the red ladybird beetle spider Paraplectana thorntoni (Blackwall, 1865) from South Africa (Araneae: Araneidae)

The genus Paraplectana Brito Capello, 1867 is known from Africa and Asia. Paraplectana thorntoni (Blackwall, 1865) is an African endemic species described by Blackwall (1865) from Mozambique and with their bright colours, they mimic beetle species belonging to the family Coccinellidae. A female P. thorntoni  female was observed over a 10-day period on a farm in Barberton, Mpumalanga,  South Africa. Observations on their behaviour, distribution and conservation are provided.