Cute spider becomes scary

[curious girl]

Hi all!

Can you tell me what kind of spider in these photo is?

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=51576]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=51577]

I thought it was cute, until it grown up (almost 2 inches incl. legs)
and it lives in my back yard. Is it poisonous?
I live in the tropical country.

I don't think there's another like it in my back yard,
so how do you think it came to my back yard?
How long is the usual age for this kind?

Thank you for your help.

[demicav]

I'm a little confused as you say you live in a tropical country. Can I ask you to give more of an idea where you live, NOT the exact location, just a rough idea. Are you in the UK ? This will help to Id your Spider.

[Venger]

Hmmm, can't really tell from the quality of the photos, which tropical country are you in?

The first spider looks like a Theridiidae sp though without a better quality photo I can't help you.
Your second spider looks like an Agriope sp
Most spiders are venomous, it's how they catch prey.
Whether these particular spiders bite humans is what you are asking
Spiders don't hunt people - so it'll be in self defense if they bite.
If you can get better picture I may be able to help you more.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Venger

Most spiders are venomous, it's how they catch prey.

Are their non venomous species Venger? I have began to take quite an interest in British Spiders of recent. I know our native species all have venom (well i think i know ). Quite fascenating creature's once you get a good book and read up on them, im quickly becoming a big fan .

[Venger]

Actually the more I've searched your second spider is probably a member of the Cyrtophora sp, a tent spider.

[Venger]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Are their non venomous species Venger? I have began to take quite an interest in British Spiders of recent. I know our native species all have venom (well i think i know ). Quite fascenating creature's once you get a good book and read up on them, im quickly becoming a big fan .

Members of the Uloboridae have no poison glands, they just wrap and eat - ouch!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Venger

Members of the Uloboridae have no poison glands, they just wrap and eat - ouch!

They never stop amazing me. Yet to see Uloboridae up here, but ill keep searching.

[Venger]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They never stop amazing me. Yet to see Uloboridae up here, but ill keep searching.

Go check out your garden centre, specifically the warmer sections (greenhouses and things like that) - they usually come in on houseplants from the continent.
Uloborus plumipes is more common

British Arachnological Society: Updated UK Distribution

[demicav]

I'm not 100% sure but the second pic really looks like Cyrtophora molucensis.

[Dogghound]

Cheer's for the info i will have a look. Im quite interested in Hyptiotes paradoxus. Quite an interesting prey catching strategy, are these mainly a southern species?