What type of Spider is this please?

[cowboybebop]

Ive seen it a few days now on the garden shed, ive never seen them in the area where i live before.....

Also do they bite at all?

Thanks

[Dogghound]

Looks like a female Nuctenea umbratica the walnut orb-weaver spider, if i am correct the male is more likely to bite and it is quite painful i belive lasting for several hours, although i wouldnt worry spiders rarely bite unless provoked and it is not dangerous.

[Venger]

Welcome to the forums first of all

It's not the best picture in the world - so that limits me

My initial response is that its an araneidea (orb weaver) possibly a nuctenea umbratica a Walnut spider, or Crevice spider - similar abdomen shape though I can't see all the markings (can't give you a 100% confirmation) - though she looks kind of hungry (a bit shrivelled)

She's nocturnal, eats moths and night flying insects so you're pretty safe
All spiders bite, but I guess you mean does she bite people - there are very few species of spider in the UK that will bite you (and you have to really annoy them first). I'm not aware of this one biting people - (and don't quote me on that) but let's not find out eh?

She's guarding her egg sac, so try to leave her be.

Keep an eye on her and you may see the young when they hatch.

[Dogghound]

regarding spider bites this is an interesting link

UK spider bites - Natural History Museum

[demicav]

I am quite angry with myself as I looked at this thread early on and suspected a Walnut orb weaver but didn't feel confident enough to put it. I still struggle to identify some spider species but getting better all the time. Great link. It doesn't surprise me that the Amaurobius Similis is in there. I was bitten by a female on the hand a few years ago, she'd climbed into my washing up gloves and didn't like my hands squashing her the next day. It hurt a lot. She was unharmed and returned to the outside window frame where we have loads of them.

[Venger]

Interesting link - you learn something new everyday

Although getting bitten is painful and quite sore, I did smirk when reading some of them - 'armpit sore, groin sore' - just what were they doing with those spiders!

Guess you have to shake things first, before you put things on.

[cowboybebop]

Cheers guys for the information... quite interesting and yes ill be leaving her alone as ive been walking past her now for some weeks....

I did see her catch a daddy long legs the other day... they seem very strong as she pulled it right to the top of the web with no problems....

Im sure ill be posting other photos of insects in the future...

a very handy website indeed

i dare'nt get to close to her to take a good enough photo.....

[bobrox45]

YES IT BITES!!! i bought a second hand car yesterday mornin that'd been sitting for a while, while cleaning out under the seats i was bitten by one of these four times on my arm, piriton doesnt seem to help much, my arms twice its size with a huge whitish lump under the first bite mark, my left side feels stiff and ive been feverish and sick, and im feeling an intermittent pins and needles type sensation in my fingers. id let these spiders live wherever they choose an keep well out of their way.

[naturegirl]

Hi Bobrox45 and welcome to WAB!

Did you actually see what bit you?

What makes you think it was this particular spider?

I'd have been off like a shot after the first bite/sting! What made you keep it there to be bitten/stung 3 times more?

What area of the country do you live?

Your symptoms seem a little harsh, have you not seen a Doctor? If my arm was double it's usual size I'd be straight up A & E!!

Do you normally react this way to bite/stings? If so, you may need to consider carrying an Epipen, your Doctor will advise you on whether this should be the case.

Naturegirl