ID Orange Spider

raebubs · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 12:08 PM

OK, I have a question about Orange spiders for you.

Yesterday I was casually walking out of my mums front door when she noticed a spider attached to the outside. Nothing unusual there... but it was! I have taken photos of the beast on my camera phone but cannot for some reason download onto this site to attach. I will describe it the best I can:

It had a burnt orange body that 'appeared' to be rock hard, almost like a shell. It's body was in the region of 3cm long and was very bulbous - the size of the tip of a thumb. It appeared to have no head! It had legs that came from the front of it, and they were striped orange and white and were tucked underneath mostly. You could see the 'spike' effect running down them. I have looked online as it looks to be like a 'crab' but none of the crab spiders I have come across have any likeness.

My mum brushed it off the door gently (we both fear spiders!)

and it landed on her lawn where it proceeded to walk off slowly in forwards motion. We went out, came back and it was on it's side just laying there. We are sure that it was not hurt from the brush.

What is it???? I'm intrigued!

Pigeon feather · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 01:32 PM

Most likely a garden spider or a close relation to it, welcome to wab btw

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 01:35 PM

I Was thinking garden spider Araneus diadematus, can be a similar colour, did it have white patches on it, like a cross shape on its back?

Zygiella · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 07:26 PM

It does sound like an Araneus Diadematus, they come in such a massive variety of colours and I have one in the house that is very orange coloured. They get really swollen at this time of year if they have eggs.

Theres no need to be afraid of them - they are very happy in your garden on any bushes or foliage - so if possible rehome them in these places if you must.

raebubs · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

I Was thinking garden spider Araneus diadematus, can be a similar colour, did it have white patches on it, like a cross shape on its back?

Hi there. I wouldn't say a 'cross' shape on it's back but looking at the photos I have, it has about four white spots with 'arrow' like lines either side pointing towards the head end. I just didn't realise that garden spiders can get that big... I have lots of them webbed on my conservatory window outside and they look nothing like it. Maybe it is heavily pregnant (I know how that feels...) but even the legs were too big and long to be a normal variety of garden spider????? Shame I can't print the photos on here but it states that they are too small.

GRH · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 10:55 AM

Sounds like Araneus quadratus, these also vary in colour and can be orange and even red.

Greg

raebubs · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRH

Sounds like Araneus quadratus, these also vary in colour and can be orange and even red.

Greg

That's the ticket!! Looked it up in google. Thanks very much... even though i'm PETRIFIED of spiders.... they utterly amaze me. I love looking at them, but when they move, so do I!!!!!!!! Great site... fascinating... will keep it on my desktop! ;-)