Spider ID

[serendipity]

Is this an Amaurobius? i found it on the windowsill outside while trying to attract a hawkmoth that we saw briefly against the pane.

[Meta menardi]

I would say yes, which one I can't venture. The pattern is quite different to the ones I usually see. Look for grey tangle-web and a retreat for the spider.

[No.9 Spider]

I'd be quite happy to say Amaurobius fenestralis for that one.

No.9 Spider

[serendipity]

Thankyou both very much!

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by serendipity

Thankyou both very much!

Can you make your avatar smile?

[serendipity]

There you go

[Meta menardi]

Excellent!

[demicav]

Originally Posted by serendipity

Is this an Amaurobius? i found it on the windowsill outside while trying to attract a hawkmoth that we saw briefly against the pane.

Female Amaurobius fenestralis/similis, both very similar although the ones we get I've always labelled as A similis. They pack quite a punch as well, good pic.

[demicav]

This is a picture of one of our females which I labeled as A similis. It lacks the yellow so yours probably is A fenestralis. I have read that they are sometimes difficult to tell apart.

[Venger]

You really need measurements for these guys, A.similis is more likely within and around the home, though not exclusive.
You really need shots of the epigyne if you really want to know the species.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Venger

You really need measurements for these guys, A.similis is more likely within and around the home, though not exclusive.
You really need shots of the epigyne if you really want to know the species.

So could these two females possibly be the same species ? I find it all very interesting. I apologise if it seems I'm hijacking the thread but I wanted to show this picture of a male Amaurobius taken on our outside wall. It has quite a lot of yellow but I didn't notice it until I looked at the picture.



I've always labelled mine as A similis because I read that as you say they're more likely to be found around houses and window frames.

[Venger]

Amaurobius fenestralis, A.similis look very similar, though A.similis is bigger than A.fenestralis.
Abdominal patterning and colour are an indication, not a clarification of species.
As I said, location helps but the only way with females is to view the epigyne.
As for males you could look for the tibial modifications, if you can't get good shots of the palps as these are easier to view from above. (but not in your picture)

[naturegirl]

Demicav!
What do you mean "packs quite a punch?" please?
Does this spider bite? If so how big is it and what is it's distribution/habitat?

Don't mean to appear thick or alarmist but.... I react to any sort of venom by going into anaphylactic shock which is very unpleasant and a horrid experience. It also gets worse & quicker each time it happens. So, whilst I love wildlife and will not let this affliction prevent my delight in studying all aspects of this subject, I also have to be (relatively) sensible. So I must identify anything that could cause me harm/bite/sting!

I live with Steatoda grossa and S. nobilis in my garden and treat them both with the utmost respect! So far I have not crossed swords with either as I know that they are there and am wary. (and I know that they don't want to eat me! )

Naturegirl

[No.9 Spider]

If you saw the two species together you'd be better able to differentiate the two. As Venger says, A. similis is generally larger (though I've found some monstrous A. fenestralis!) and I find them to be lighter/paler. Another distinguishing point for A. similis is that the cardiac mark will often have a distinct light line down the centre splitting the mark in half.

Hi Nature Girl, I've never had a problem with aggression from these species. As with many species they'd only bite if they felt threatened or were trapped in clothing for example. Relatively few British species are capable of inflicting a bite, and it may just be a bite with no envenomation.

No.9 Spider

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by naturegirl

Demicav!
What do you mean "packs quite a punch?" please?
Does this spider bite? If so how big is it and what is it's distribution/habitat?

Don't mean to appear thick or alarmist but.... I react to any sort of venom by going into anaphylactic shock which is very unpleasant and a horrid experience. It also gets worse & quicker each time it happens. So, whilst I love wildlife and will not let this affliction prevent my delight in studying all aspects of this subject, I also have to be (relatively) sensible. So I must identify anything that could cause me harm/bite/sting!

I live with Steatoda grossa and S. nobilis in my garden and treat them both with the utmost respect! So far I have not crossed swords with either as I know that they are there and am wary. (and I know that they don't want to eat me! )

Naturegirl

They will tackle things like wasps (have photos, but not esp good quality). They do punch above their weight in the invertebrate world, but they pose no threat to us.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by naturegirl

Demicav!
What do you mean "packs quite a punch?" please?
Does this spider bite? If so how big is it and what is it's distribution/habitat?

Don't mean to appear thick or alarmist but.... I react to any sort of venom by going into anaphylactic shock which is very unpleasant and a horrid experience. It also gets worse & quicker each time it happens. So, whilst I love wildlife and will not let this affliction prevent my delight in studying all aspects of this subject, I also have to be (relatively) sensible. So I must identify anything that could cause me harm/bite/sting!

I live with Steatoda grossa and S. nobilis in my garden and treat them both with the utmost respect! So far I have not crossed swords with either as I know that they are there and am wary. (and I know that they don't want to eat me! )

Naturegirl

Hi naturegirl, sorry don't mean to alarm you at all . I've got sensitive skin so I use the washing up type gloves to do various things around the house. I always keep a pair next to the kitchen sink and one night a female A similis must have thought it was a nice place to stay and crawled inside. Next morning I put them on and when I started to put my hands under the HOT water, that's when she bit. I didn't realise it was a Spider, it felt like sharp glass and was quite painful. I let out a few shrieks then peeled off the glove quickly and out she popped onto the work top. My other half put her in a glass as at the time we didn't know what species it was. The area did swell a little but there were no serious effects and she was fine too, a bit soggy and angry but otherwise ok. We put her back outside in a more suitable location. Funny it's usually the males that wander inside, very rarely the females, they're usually always on the outside window frames. I definately don't worry about them, they're not out to bite, it was self defence.