spider with red and white stripes?

[WildCassieThing]

Imagine my suprise when I went to the loo at work, and there was a red spider crawling down the wall. I have no idea if this came in with the goods or is native to Britain. It had white vertical stripes on its abdomen. I did not manage to catch it on before it escaped, so can only tell you it was no bigger then 1 -1.5 cms long,and had a rectangular abdomen.
Any help is much appreiciated
Ta ;-)

[Jason Green]

Morning WCT, and welcome to WAB

Google 'Candy-striped Spider'. This seems to fit the description, and is a harmless common native one.

Take care,

Jason

[WildCassieThing]

Thank you Jason, but the body shape is different. Almost like a Tetragnathidae or stretch spider. Spent about 3 hours last nght going through Google trying to find it. May be able to take a picture of it when I go in later so I can put it up here ;-)

[Geoff F]

Were you looking at male or female versions of Enoplognatha ovata (candy-striped spider) because males have a narrower abdomen.

Was it red all over including the head (carapace) section and what about the legs? And is your size estimate for head and body only, which is the normal method of measurement, or did you include the legs.

If it had a red carapace and legs, have you checked out Dysdera erythrina (Woodlouse spider) which I have found chasing woodlice inside buildings. If this looks possible don't handle the spider as this is one of the few UK spiders which is capable of giving you a bit of a nip; although you really have to annoy it first.

Location might also help as many spiders are normally only found in either the south or north. of this country.

Tetragnatha extensa can have lines of orange red colouration but they are usually rather thin and only on the abdomen.

If it is an imported spider you may get a better response in the Spider Forum where you are more likely to find one of the real experts.

[JRsbugs]

I had a small spider which was red with white vertical stripes but it was a baby I think, only 3mm body length, and it was outside on a shrub. Hypsosinga pygmaea in family Araneidae might stretch to 1cm with legs.

I have pics but it was upside down so only got side views.

Janet

[WildCassieThing]

Thank you everyone, but I still can't find a picture that matches the spider. Think its time to raid WHSmiths for a spider book lol

[Geoff F]

This is the species which Janet mentioned.

http://www.spiderling.de/arages/Foto...aea_2_1024.jpg

Also check Hypsosinga albovittata which is similar. The abdominal marks are normally brownish but may appear more red.

Neither are common though so they may not appear in the more basic books.

That link is to a useful ID site but you do need to know the family name to start with, and select the English translation.

Here is another H. pygmaea with rather red stripes http://www.jorgenlissner.dk/images/P...5614_20277.JPG

From another useful spider site, but Danish this time.

[JRsbugs]

I have posted my baby spider in the spider forum, I have loads of spiders needing a name but this seems an opportune moment.