Spider found on grapes-is it foreign?

lizcolman · #1 (**permalink**) 17-08-2007, 03:50 PM

Hi there,

I have found a spider on a bunch of grapes that I bought today. Unfortunately, there is no mention on the packet as to where the grapes were grown, but I would be interested to know what sort of spider it is. It is quite probably a very common english variety, but I am a little curious!! The round part of its body is about 6mm in length.

Thank you in advance,

Liz

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...p?i=43064&c=31

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 17-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Could be anything, have you got a better description there are thousands of spiders that size, colour? shape? anything else you can think of, a photo if possible. oh and welcome to WAB

Oops sorry didnt see the image, looks like Nuctenea umbratica a fairly common british species

clover green · #3 (**permalink**) 17-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Some weeks ago I also found two very tiny spiders on a bunch of grapes. I only noticed them as I filled the sink with water so that I could wash the fruit and there I saw two tiny spiders trying to swim in the swirling water. I can't bear to kill/harm anything (well, there are a few exceptions, like flies, etc), so I carefully rescued them and then put them outside in the front garden. At the time, I did wonder if they were from "abroad", but there was no indication on the packaging to say what country the grapes had come from.
Now, I realise I should have done what lizcolman did and ask the members of WAB. To me the spiders looked liked the money-spiders we get here, but now I wonder if they were "foreign-imports?"

GRH · #4 (**permalink**) 17-08-2007, 07:15 PM

This is Zygiella species, a common European genus. Most likely Z. x-notata, which is a common British species found in gardens and will wander indoors sometimes.

Greg

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 17-08-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRH

This is Zygiella species, a common European genus. Most likely Z. x-notata, which is a common British species found in gardens and will wander indoors sometimes.

Greg

Cheers my spidey ID is awful at times

lizcolman · #6 (**permalink**) 19-08-2007, 01:05 PM

Phew, that's good news! Like clover green, I am not comfortable with killing animals unless I really have to, so I'm glad I gave the little guy the benefit of the doubt! I have now released him, and he is currently roaming free in my back garden!

Thank you very much to all three of you for all of your help and for making my first WAB experience such a pleasant one!

Best wishes,
Liz