Phormingochilus

Phormingochilus is an Old World arboreal tarantula genus first described in 1895 by British arachnologist Reginald Innes Pocock, based on specimens from the rainforests of Borneo. He designated Phormingochilus everetti as the type species and also described P. tigrinus in the same work, establishing the group within what we now recognize as subfamily Ornithoctoninae.

For much of the 20th century the genus was poorly known, with only a handful of Bornean species recorded. Modern revisions in the 1990s–2010s re-examined Pocock’s material and additional field collections, clarifying how Phormingochilus differs from closely related arboreal genera such as Omothymus and Lampropelma (for example, by the rounded apex of the male palpal bulb and details of eye-tubercle shape).

As taxonomic work progressed, several species once placed in Phormingochilus were reassigned to other genera, while new species from Borneo and Sulawesi were added. Recent catalogs and revisions now recognize a small but distinct group of medium-to-large, tree-dwelling “earth tigers” restricted to Indonesia and surrounding islands, with a number of yet-to-be-formally-described color forms popular in the hobby (such as “Sabah Blue,” “Sabah Red,” and others).

In the modern hobby, Phormingochilus is valued for its striking coloration, strong patterning, and classic fast, defensive Old World temperament—traits that tie today’s captive-bred spiders directly back to Pocock’s original rainforest specimens over a century ago.

Phormingochilus hatihati

• Common name: Purple Earth Tiger / Sulawesi Violet Tarantula

• Origin: West Sulawesi, Indonesia – lowland tropical rainforest around Tammajarra in Polewali Mandar

• Lifestyle: Old World, primarily arboreal; heavy webber that uses vertical retreats. Juveniles often start semi-burrowed or in low hides before moving higher as they mature.

• Adult size: Around 6–7" (15–18 cm) diagonal leg span

• Growth rate: Fast-growing for an arboreal Old World species

• Temperament: Very fast, defensive, and easily startled; medically significant venom. Best suited to experienced keepers and not recommended for handling.

• Color & appearance:

  • Females: Pale tan to golden carapace with dark radial patterning, deep blue-purple to charcoal legs, and bold “earth tiger” striping/chevrons on the abdomen

  • Males: Slimmer, more muted brown to grey tones; clearly sexually dichromatic compared to females

Species History

Phormingochilus hatihati is a recently described Old World arboreal tarantula from Indonesia, officially named in 2024 by Müller, Fardiansah, Schneider, Wanke, von Wirth & Wendt. Before its formal description it circulated in the hobby for years under trade names like Cyriopagopus sp. “hatihati” and Omothymus sp. “hatihati,” as well as common names such as Purple Earth Tiger, Sulawesi Violet, and (incorrectly) Borneo Purple Earth Tiger.

Native to West Sulawesi, Indonesia, P. hatihati has so far been recorded from lowland rainforest and nearby cultivated areas around Tammajarra in Polewali Mandar. It is unusual within its genus: other described Phormingochilus species are known from Borneo, making hatihati a notable example of the group occurring east of the Wallace Line. The species name “hatihati” comes from an Indonesian word meaning “caution,” a fitting nod to both its defensive potential and the respect it commands as a fast, powerful Old World species.

In the hobby, Phormingochilus hatihati is prized for its striking sexual dichromatism and vivid coloration. Females in particular show dark grey to bright purple legs, a pale tan carapace with distinct radial striping, and a bold “fishbone” pattern on the abdomen, while males are more muted and brownish. Today, with its scientific status clarified and natural range better understood, P. hatihati has become a flagship Sulawesi arboreal species—highly sought after by experienced keepers who appreciate both its beauty and its newly documented place in tarantula taxonomy.

Natural Habitat

Phormingochilus hatihati is native to the warm, humid lowland rainforests of West Sulawesi, Indonesia. In the wild it has been recorded around Tammajarra in Polewali Mandar, where intact forest borders small farms and mango plantations.

This is an arboreal species that lives in and around trees, using natural hollows, knotholes and twists in aerial roots as retreats, and lining them with silk. Spiderlings often start out closer to the ground in shallow burrows or low hides, moving higher into the canopy as they mature. The region’s climate is consistently warm (mid-20s °C / upper-70s °F and above) with high humidity and seasonal heavy rains, so in captivity P. hatihati does best with a vertically oriented, well-ventilated enclosure, slightly moist substrate, abundant cork bark or branches, and plenty of cover to mirror its densely vegetated Sulawesi home.

 Muller (2024) described this species in a comprehensive publication.

Source: Muller 2024

Our Specimen:

Given name: Violeta

Sex: Female

Life stage: Sub-adult

• Approximately 4.5 inches

• A bit feisty but has not been aggressive

• Periodically makes a night time appearance.

• Beautiful coloration.

Our Specimen:

Given name: Menara

Sex: TBD

Life stage: Sling

• New addition to our collection

• Commonly on display, which is quite nice for this type of species

Genus and species: Phormingochilus sp. sabah blue

Given name: Sulu

Found in the Sabah province of Borneo. They have beautiful blue and lavender coloration with orange hairs throughout. The can grow to 7 or 8 inches as adult females. This species is relatively new to the hobby and slings are available.

Habitat: Resides in trees amongst tropical rainforests.

Husbandry Notes:

Enclosure: 6x6x8

Sex: Undetermined

Life stage: Juvenile

Size: Approximately 3.75 inches

Growth: Steady

Disposition: Fast and somewhat skittish

Eating habits: Have not witnessed a takedown yet

Misc: Periodically makes a night time appearance. Starting to develop beautiful adult coloration.

Genus and species: Phormingochilus arboricola

Common name: Borneo Black

Given name: Sulu

This arboreal species may reach 7 inches in leg span. They have a dark to black body with slightly lighter stripes on the abdomen. Slings are generally available in the market.

Habitat: Resides in trees amongst tropical rainforests.

Husbandry Notes:

Enclosure: 12x12x18

Sex: Female

Life stage: Sub-adult

Size: Approximately 4.5 in

Growth:

Disposition:

Eating habits:

Misc: