Spider ID (Confirmation wanted)

[Paul Iddon]

This was in my house in Preston, Lancashire, (North West England).

I assumed it was a house spider (Tegenaria gigantea) but someone says it is something else...

A female Black Lace-weaver (Amaurobius ferox).


Is this a common species - it was about one to one and a half inches from front to end, and was crawling along the edge of the ceiling at the top of the stairs.

Do they bite?




Thanks in advance.


Paul.

[wilddawn]

I'm no expert but it doesn't look like any house spider I've ever seen. I searched Google images for Amaurobius ferox and there where some that looked a lot like your spider. I'm sure one of the spider experts will be along to help you soon.

[Dogghound]

Out of the Amaurobiidae spiders it does look like Amaurobius ferox, the other similar one is Amaurobius fenestralis all though has a much paler cephalothorax.

[clicka15]

Hi Paul,

It certainly looks like a Lace-weaver of some sort and this is apparently about the time of year when males are present (well, autumn anyway). The red marking on the abdomen is similar to other Amaurobius species, but I can't id anything specific I'm afraid.

I hope someone else can.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[clicka15]

Hello again Paul,

I meant to reassure you that this spider isn't poisonous to humans, sinister though it does look!

Many spiders can bite when threatened though, although the smaller they are the more difficult it is for them. I always give them a respectful distance and try to be passive when handling - but I am a reformed arachnophobe!

Cheers,
Steve.

[Paul Iddon]

Thanks.

If I see it again, I'll try to get a better photo.


Paul.

[Trinity]

are Amaurobius similis poisonous to small children and if so how concerned should I be? They're all over my house, from the bathroom to the kitchen and even a few in the bedroom window. They create a flat pillow like web with a thicker cloud like formation where the largest spider stays.