[4] It is found in Indonesia from Java eastwards, Papua New Guinea, Australia, northern New Zealand, and New Caledonia.

The cephalothorax is black with a white pattern on the back, and a yellow underside; the abdomen is grey to brown.

T. edulis is closely related to Trichonephila plumipes (tiger spider) which is also commonly found in Australia.

Labillardiere wrote: ”Les habitans de la Nouvelle-Calédonie appellent nougui cette espèce d'araignée, que je désigne sous le nom d' aranea edulis (araignée que les Calédoniens mangent).“ („The inhabitants of New Caledonia call this spider nougui.

Several related spiders are considered a delicacy in New Guinea, "plucked by the legs from their webs and lightly roasted over an open fire".